Sloe Bug vs South African Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sloe Bug South African Robber Fly
Scientific Name Dolycoris baccarum Alcimus tristrigatus
Order Hemiptera Diptera
Family Pentatomidae Asilidae
Size 10-12 mm 18-26 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Seed Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, Asia Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sloe Bug

A medium-sized, purplish-brown shield bug with distinctive black and white banded antennae and a hairy body. It is common across Europe and feeds on a wide range of plants including sloe, hawthorn, and raspberry. The body has a dense covering of fine hairs.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the hairiest shield bugs in Europe, covered in a dense fur of fine hairs that gives it a distinctly fuzzy appearance under magnification.

South African Robber Fly

A large, hairy robber fly endemic to southern Africa's fynbos and savanna. It perches conspicuously on shrubs while scanning for prey.

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Did You Know?

Southern Africa harbors one of the richest robber fly faunas in the world.