Golden-tabbed Robber Fly vs Great Pied Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Golden-tabbed Robber Fly | Great Pied Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Choerades marginatus | Volucella bombylans |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Asilidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 15-22mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Golden-tabbed Robber Fly
A large bristly brown robber fly with golden hair tufts that ambushes prey from sunny perches on logs.
Did You Know?
Sits motionless on sun-warmed logs waiting for insects to fly past, then launches with explosive speed to intercept.
Great Pied Hoverfly
A furry hoverfly that exists in multiple colour forms, each mimicking a different bumblebee species. Larvae develop inside bumblebee nests.
Did You Know?
Different colour forms mimic different bumblebee species, with some resembling red-tailed and others white-tailed bumblebees.