St Mark's Fly vs Australian Magpie Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | St Mark's Fly | Australian Magpie Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bibio johannis | Nyctemera amica |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Bibionidae | Erebidae |
| Size | 6-10mm | 35-45 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Australia, New Zealand |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
St Mark's Fly
A small black fly that swarms in May. Males have large heads with huge eyes that almost meet on top.
Did You Know?
Often confused with the larger Bibio marci but emerges slightly later and has entirely dark legs.
Australian Magpie Moth
A striking day-flying black and white moth from Australasia. Caterpillars feed on groundsel and ragwort, sequestering toxic alkaloids. The bold pattern warns predators of its toxicity.
Did You Know?
Its bold black and white pattern serves as a warning to predators that it contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.