Thick-headed Fly vs Great Pied Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thick-headed Fly | Great Pied Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Physocephala rufipes | Volucella bombylans |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Conopidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Thick-headed Fly
A wasp-mimicking fly that parasitizes bumblebees by injecting eggs into them mid-flight.
Did You Know?
Infected bumblebees bury themselves in soil where the fly larva pupates.
Great Pied Hoverfly
A furry hoverfly that exists in multiple colour forms, each mimicking a different bumblebee species. Larvae develop inside bumblebee nests.
Did You Know?
Different colour forms mimic different bumblebee species, with some resembling red-tailed and others white-tailed bumblebees.