Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly vs Hump-backed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly | Hump-backed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xanthogramma pedissequum | Megaselia scalaris |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Phoridae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Underground |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Worldwide |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly
A striking yellow-and-black hoverfly that mimics a wasp. Larvae develop inside ant nests where they feed on root aphids tended by the ants. A declining species in parts of its range.
Did You Know?
Larvae live inside ant nests and feed on the root aphids that ants keep as 'livestock'.
Hump-backed Fly
A tiny scuttle fly with a distinctly humped thorax that breeds in an extraordinary range of organic matter. It is forensically important especially in enclosed burial sites.
Did You Know?
It can colonize buried or concealed bodies that are inaccessible to larger blow flies.