Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly vs European Thick-headed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly | European Thick-headed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysotoxum bicinctum | Myopa buccata |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Conopidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly
A striking wasp-mimicking hoverfly with bold yellow and black banding. Distinguished from wasps by its hovering flight and single pair of wings. Larvae develop in ant nests.
Did You Know?
Despite being a harmless hoverfly, its excellent wasp mimicry deters most predators.
European Thick-headed Fly
A small reddish-brown conopid fly with a distinctively swollen face and downward-curving proboscis. It is commonly found basking on sunny tree trunks and fences in spring.
Did You Know?
It times its emergence with the spring flight period of its Andrena bee hosts, waiting on sunny surfaces to ambush them.