Dun-bar vs American Hoverfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dun-bar American Hoverfly
Scientific Name Cosmia trapezina Eupeodes americanus
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Noctuidae Syrphidae
Size 28-34 mm wingspan 8-11 mm
Habitat Underground Farmland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dun-bar

A late summer noctuid moth whose caterpillars are partly predatory, eating other moth larvae sharing their tree. Variable brown coloration with a distinctive pale bar.

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Did You Know?

Caterpillars are cannibalistic and predatory, readily consuming other moth larvae they encounter on leaves.

American Hoverfly

A widespread North American hoverfly with yellow and black markings. Larvae are voracious aphid predators in crop fields.

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Did You Know?

A single larva can consume several hundred aphids before pupating.