White-banded Hoverfly vs Bee Killer Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White-banded Hoverfly Bee Killer Robber Fly
Scientific Name Leucozona lucorum Mallophora bomboides
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Syrphidae Asilidae
Size 10-14 mm 20-28 mm
Habitat Underground Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia Eastern United States from New England to Florida
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

White-banded Hoverfly

A dark hoverfly with a broad white band across the abdomen. It is associated with shaded habitats and visits white umbelliferous flowers.

💡

Did You Know?

Its larvae are predators of aphids found on low-growing vegetation in shaded woodland.

Bee Killer Robber Fly

A large fuzzy robber fly that closely resembles a bumble bee in both appearance and buzzing flight. It perches on vegetation and launches aerial attacks on passing insects.

💡

Did You Know?

Its bumble bee mimicry is so convincing that it can sit among real bees at flowers without being recognized as a predator.