Arctic Hover Fly vs Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Hover Fly | Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Syrphus torvus | Episyrphus balteatus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 9-13 mm | 7-12 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| 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.
Hoverfly
Excellent Batesian mimics of wasps and bees. Important pollinators often overlooked. Can hover perfectly stationary in mid-air and even fly backwards.
Did You Know?
Hoverflies are so skilled at hovering that they can maintain their exact position in space even in strong winds, adjusting wing beats up to 300 times per second.