Alpine Hover Fly vs Gaudy Sphinx Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alpine Hover Fly | Gaudy Sphinx Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sericomyia silentis | Eumorpha labruscae |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm body length | 85-120 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Orchards |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | Southern United States, Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Alpine Hover Fly
A large hover fly with bold yellow-and-black banding mimicking a wasp. It visits alpine flowers for nectar in mountain meadows.
Did You Know?
Its larvae are rat-tailed maggots that breathe through a snorkel-like siphon in waterlogged soil.
Gaudy Sphinx Moth
A spectacular hawk moth with blue-green and brown patterned forewings that create an extraordinary leafy camouflage. It is one of the most beautifully colored sphinx moths in the world.
Did You Know?
When resting on a vine leaf, the gaudy sphinx moth is almost impossible to spot because its wing patterns perfectly replicate the colors and veining of a fresh leaf.