Yellow Swarming Fly vs Batman Hoverfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yellow Swarming Fly Batman Hoverfly
Scientific Name Thaumatomyia notata Myathropa florea
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Chloropidae Syrphidae
Size 2-2.5 mm 12-15 mm
Habitat Grasslands Underground
Diet Predators Sap Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Yellow Swarming Fly

A tiny yellow fly famous for forming enormous hibernation aggregations in buildings, sometimes numbering millions. Larvae are predatory on root aphids in grassland.

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Did You Know?

Can form hibernation clusters of millions in attic spaces, with individual aggregations weighing several kilograms.

Batman Hoverfly

A wasp-mimicking hoverfly with a distinctive bat-shaped marking on its thorax, earning it the nickname 'batman hoverfly.' Larvae develop in water-filled tree holes as aquatic filter feeders.

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Did You Know?

The dark bat-shaped mark on its thorax is so distinctive that it can be identified at a glance from above.