Thick-headed Fly vs Small Magpie Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thick-headed Fly | Small Magpie Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Physocephala rufipes | Anania hortulata |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Conopidae | Crambidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 26-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Western Asia |
| 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.
Small Magpie Moth
A pretty white moth with black spots and a yellow head. Despite its name, it is a crambid rather than a geometrid like the true Magpie Moth.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar lives inside a rolled leaf shelter that it spins shut with silk.