Alpine Hover Fly vs Golden Northern Bumble Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alpine Hover Fly | Golden Northern Bumble Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sericomyia silentis | Bombus fervidus |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Apidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm body length | 14-20 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | Northern and central United States and southern Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
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.
Golden Northern Bumble Bee
A large bumble bee with an almost entirely yellow-furred thorax and anterior abdomen. It is a generalist pollinator found across much of North America.
Did You Know?
Queens can survive winter temperatures by producing glycerol in their blood, which acts as a natural antifreeze.