Arctic Hover Fly vs Reindeer Warble Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Hover Fly | Reindeer Warble Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Syrphus torvus | Hypoderma tarandi |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 9-13 mm | 13-17 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska |
| 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.
Reindeer Warble Fly
A stout, furry fly that parasitizes reindeer and caribou. Females dart at reindeer to lay eggs on their legs. Larvae burrow through the skin and migrate through the body, creating warble lumps under the back skin.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of this fly causes reindeer to panic and stampede, and heavy infestations can reduce a reindeer's body weight by up to 25 percent.