Tiger Hoverfly vs Bioluminescent Fungus Gnat

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tiger Hoverfly Bioluminescent Fungus Gnat
Scientific Name Helophilus pendulus Keroplatus testaceus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Syrphidae Keroplatidae
Size 10-14 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Tiger Hoverfly

A distinctive hoverfly with bold yellow and black stripes on the thorax. It breeds in muddy, organically enriched water.

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Did You Know?

Its longitudinal thorax stripes are unique among common hoverflies, making it easy to identify.

Bioluminescent Fungus Gnat

A remarkable fungus gnat whose larvae create bioluminescent webs on bracket fungi. The blue-green glow attracts prey insects. One of the few bioluminescent insects outside fireflies.

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Did You Know?

Larvae glow in the dark, creating eerie blue-green patches on bracket fungi in dark forests.