St Mark's Fly vs Bristly Tachinid Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | St Mark's Fly | Bristly Tachinid Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bibio johannis | Nowickia ferox |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Bibionidae | Tachinidae |
| Size | 6-10mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Asia |
| 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.
Bristly Tachinid Fly
A large, heavily bristled tachinid fly with a gray-checkered pattern on the abdomen. It is conspicuously spiny and frequently visits flowers in late summer.
Did You Know?
Its exceptionally long and stiff bristles are thought to help prevent birds from swallowing it.