Stilt-legged Fly vs Striped Deer Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Stilt-legged Fly Striped Deer Fly
Scientific Name Rainieria antennaepes Chrysops vittatus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Micropezidae Tabanidae
Size 8-12 mm 8-11 mm
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Parasitoids Blood Feeders
Regions North America Eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Stilt-legged Fly

A slender fly with banded legs that it waves to mimic parasitoid wasp antennae.

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Did You Know?

It waves its front legs continuously to resemble an ichneumon wasp walking on four legs.

Striped Deer Fly

A small deer fly with distinctive dark bands across its wings and bright green and gold patterned eyes. Females are persistent biters that circle the head and shoulders of hosts.

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Did You Know?

Its compound eyes display iridescent green and gold zigzag patterns that fade to dull gray shortly after the fly dies.