Arctic Water Bug vs Arctic Hover Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Water Bug | Arctic Hover Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arctocorisa carinata | Syrphus torvus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Diptera |
| Family | Corixidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 9-13 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Detritivores | Predators |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Water Bug
A small aquatic bug with a flattened body and oar-like hind legs for swimming. The back has fine transverse lines. It inhabits cold tundra ponds and lakes, swimming actively even in near-freezing water.
Did You Know?
Males produce sound by rubbing their front legs against their head to attract females, making them among the loudest animals relative to body size.
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.