Tropical Bat Fly vs Bearded Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tropical Bat Fly | Bearded Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cyclopodia horsfieldi | Machimus atricapillus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Nycteribiidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasites | Herbivores |
| Regions | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tropical Bat Fly
A bizarre wingless bat fly with extremely long spider-like legs and a flattened body. It is a specialist parasite of fruit bats in tropical Asia.
Did You Know?
Its legs are so long relative to its body that it can crawl rapidly through bat fur while maintaining grip during flight.
Bearded Robber Fly
A common European robber fly with a prominent mystax (facial beard) of bristles that protect its face during prey capture. It hunts from perches on bare ground and low vegetation.
Did You Know?
Its dense facial beard of stiff bristles acts as a protective cage, shielding its eyes from the thrashing legs of captured prey.