Giant Grasshopper vs Arctic Flower Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Grasshopper | Arctic Flower Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Valanga irregularis | Platycheirus melanopsis |
| Order | Orthoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Acrididae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 60-75 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Meadows |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Giant Grasshopper
The largest grasshopper in Australia, with females reaching impressive sizes. It is a strong flier that sometimes causes damage to garden plants and crops.
Did You Know?
Female giant grasshoppers are significantly larger than males and can deliver a surprisingly painful bite with their powerful mandibles when handled.
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.