Tapered Drone Fly vs Great Golden Digger Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tapered Drone Fly | Great Golden Digger Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eristalis pertinax | Sphex ichneumoneus |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Sphecidae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 18-28 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Throughout the United States and southern Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tapered Drone Fly
A large hoverfly resembling a honeybee but distinguished by its yellow-tipped front tarsi. It is active from early spring to late autumn.
Did You Know?
It is one of the earliest hoverflies to appear in spring, sometimes flying on warm days in February.
Great Golden Digger Wasp
A large solitary wasp with a golden-furred thorax and orange-red legs that digs burrows in sandy soil. It provisions its nest with paralyzed katydids and crickets.
Did You Know?
It always performs a specific inspection routine of its burrow before dragging prey inside, a behavior famously studied by early ethologists.