Arctic Hover Fly vs Alpine Carabus
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Hover Fly | Alpine Carabus |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Syrphus torvus | Carabus alpestris |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 9-13 mm | 18-26 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Meadows |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska | Alps, Carpathians |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Hover Fly
A medium-sized hover fly with bold yellow and black banding that mimics a wasp. It is a skilled hoverer that can remain stationary in midair. Larvae are voracious predators of aphids on subarctic plants.
Did You Know?
This hover fly is an important pollinator in subarctic regions where honeybees are absent, visiting many northern wildflowers.
Alpine Carabus
A metallic green or bronze ground beetle of high alpine meadows. It is a nocturnal predator of slugs and soft-bodied invertebrates.
Did You Know?
Its metallic coloration varies significantly between isolated mountain populations.