South African Robber Fly vs Silverfish Strepsipteran
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South African Robber Fly | Silverfish Strepsipteran |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alcimus tristrigatus | Mengenilla chobauti |
| Order | Diptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Asilidae | Mengenillidae |
| Size | 18-26 mm | 2.0-3.5 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Parasites |
| Regions | Southern Africa | Europe, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Did You Know?
Southern Africa harbors one of the richest robber fly faunas in the world.
Silverfish Strepsipteran
A primitive strepsipteran that parasitizes silverfish and firebrats. Unlike most strepsipterans, the adult female is free-living.
Did You Know?
This is one of the most primitive strepsipterans, and the free-living adult female resembles a tiny larva.