Sunflower Maggot Fly vs Eupeodes Hoverfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sunflower Maggot Fly Eupeodes Hoverfly
Scientific Name Strauzia longipennis Eupeodes corollae
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tephritidae Syrphidae
Size 5-8 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Leaf Miners Predators
Regions North America Europe, Asia, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sunflower Maggot Fly

A picture-winged fruit fly whose larvae mine the stems of sunflowers. Adults have attractive amber-patterned wings.

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Did You Know?

Despite being common, it rarely causes economic damage to commercial sunflower crops.

Eupeodes Hoverfly

A common small hoverfly with variable yellow comma-shaped markings on the abdomen. It is a migratory species and important aphid predator.

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Did You Know?

It migrates in huge numbers from southern Europe northward each spring alongside painted lady butterflies.