Frit Fly vs Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Frit Fly | Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oscinella frit | Xanthogramma pedissequum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chloropidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, temperate worldwide | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Frit Fly
A tiny fly that is a major pest of oat crops and ryegrass. Larvae bore into plant stems causing 'dead heart'. Named from the Swedish word for grain. Multiple generations per year.
Did You Know?
Despite being only 1.5mm long, it can destroy entire crops of oats by killing the growing shoot inside each stem.
Superb Ant-hill Hoverfly
A striking yellow-and-black hoverfly that mimics a wasp. Larvae develop inside ant nests where they feed on root aphids tended by the ants. A declining species in parts of its range.
Did You Know?
Larvae live inside ant nests and feed on the root aphids that ants keep as 'livestock'.