Tiger Hoverfly vs Common Spongillafly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tiger Hoverfly Common Spongillafly
Scientific Name Helophilus pendulus Sisyra fuscata
Order Diptera Neuroptera
Family Syrphidae Sisyridae
Size 10-14 mm 6-10 mm wingspan
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Nectar Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Europe, Asia Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Common Spongillafly

A small dark lacewing whose larvae are aquatic parasitoids of freshwater sponges. One of the few neuropterans with aquatic larval stages.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae breathe underwater using specialized pointed mouthparts that also pierce sponge cells for feeding.