Arctic Flower Fly vs Golden Reed Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Flower Fly | Golden Reed Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platycheirus melanopsis | Donacia vulgaris |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Wetlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Flower Fly
A small hover fly with a dark body and distinctive pale facial markings. It is an important pollinator of Arctic wildflowers. Larvae are predatory on aphids in tundra vegetation.
Did You Know?
This hover fly is one of the most important pollinators in the High Arctic where bees are scarce or absent.
Golden Reed Beetle
A slender, metallic beetle with golden to coppery-green coloration and elongated antennae. It is commonly found resting on emergent aquatic vegetation in ponds and marshes.
Did You Know?
Adults possess hydrophobic hairs on their underside that trap a thin film of air, allowing them to survive brief submersion.