Soldier Fly vs Waterlily Borer Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Soldier Fly | Waterlily Borer Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Odontomyia tigrina | Elophila gyralis |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Stratiomyidae | Crambidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 18-24 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Soldier Fly
A brightly colored soldier fly with aquatic larvae that filter-feed in ponds.
Did You Know?
Larvae float at the surface and breathe through a rosette of hydrophobic tail hairs.
Waterlily Borer Moth
A small pale brown moth with wavy dark lines across its wings. Its larvae are aquatic, living underwater in cases made from fragments of waterlily leaves.
Did You Know?
The larvae breathe underwater using modified gills and never surface until they are ready to pupate.