Bat Fly vs Arctic Flower Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bat Fly | Arctic Flower Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Penicillidia conspicua | Platycheirus melanopsis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Nycteribiidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 2-5 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Meadows |
| Diet | Parasites | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bat Fly
A bizarre wingless fly that lives exclusively as an ectoparasite on bats. It has lost its wings entirely and scurries through bat fur like a spider.
Did You Know?
These flies have evolved to look and move like spiders, having completely lost their wings and flattened their bodies for life in bat fur.
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.