Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly vs Yellow-legged Dance Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly | Yellow-legged Dance Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysotoxum bicinctum | Empis livida |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Empididae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| 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.
Yellow-legged Dance Fly
A medium-sized dance fly with yellowish legs, a grayish body, and a distinctive long proboscis. It forms conspicuous mating swarms near streams and in sheltered clearings.
Did You Know?
In some dance fly species, males wrap worthless objects in silk to trick females into mating, a form of sexual deception.