Striped Deer Fly vs Bristly Tachinid Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Striped Deer Fly Bristly Tachinid Fly
Scientific Name Chrysops vittatus Nowickia ferox
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tabanidae Tachinidae
Size 8-11 mm 12-16 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Underground
Diet Blood Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Bristly Tachinid Fly

A large, heavily bristled tachinid fly with a gray-checkered pattern on the abdomen. It is conspicuously spiny and frequently visits flowers in late summer.

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Did You Know?

Its exceptionally long and stiff bristles are thought to help prevent birds from swallowing it.