South American Robber Fly vs Marmalade Hoverfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Robber Fly Marmalade Hoverfly
Scientific Name Microstylum magnum Episyrphus balteatus balteatus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Asilidae Syrphidae
Size 30-40 mm 8-12mm
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions South America, Central America Europe, Asia, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South American Robber Fly

A large, elongate robber fly from tropical regions with a slender abdomen and long spiny legs. It hunts from exposed perches and can catch large prey relative to its body size.

💡

Did You Know?

Some tropical Asilidae species are among the largest predatory flies in the world, rivaling small dragonflies in wingspan.

Marmalade Hoverfly

A common hoverfly with distinctive double black bands on an orange abdomen. One of the most effective migrant pollinators.

💡

Did You Know?

Migrates in billions from continental Europe to Britain each spring and its larvae eat astronomical numbers of aphids.