Window Gnat vs Plain-faced Dronefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Window Gnat Plain-faced Dronefly
Scientific Name Sylvicola fenestralis Eristalis arbustorum
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Anisopodidae Syrphidae
Size 5-7 mm 9-11 mm
Habitat Underground Gardens
Diet Sap Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Window Gnat

A small, delicate fly with dark-spotted wings often found resting on windows and walls. Larvae develop in fermenting organic matter and tree sap runs.

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Did You Know?

Despite being one of the most commonly encountered flies on windows throughout Europe, this species remains largely unstudied and overlooked by entomologists.

Plain-faced Dronefly

A small, dark dronefly with a distinctive bare facial stripe. It is one of the most common hoverflies visiting garden flowers in summer.

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Did You Know?

It can be distinguished from other droneflies by the shiny, hairless stripe down the center of its face.