Arctic Flower Fly vs Southern Damselfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Flower Fly | Southern Damselfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platycheirus melanopsis | Coenagrion mercuriale |
| Order | Diptera | Odonata |
| Family | Syrphidae | Coenagrionidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 27-31 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Meadows |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia | Europe, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
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.
Southern Damselfly
A rare and declining European damselfly with a mercury-symbol-shaped mark on segment two. It is restricted to base-rich shallow streams and water meadows.
Did You Know?
It is named for the mercury-symbol-shaped black marking on the second segment of the male's abdomen.