Golden-belted Tachinid vs Arctic Hover Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Golden-belted Tachinid | Arctic Hover Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ectophasia crassipennis | Syrphus torvus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 9-13 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Parasites | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Golden-belted Tachinid
A colorful parasitic fly with golden-yellow markings and dark wing patches. Parasitizes shieldbugs and stink bugs. Often seen on umbellifer flowers.
Did You Know?
The conspicuous wing markings may be involved in mating displays among the otherwise cryptic tachinid flies.
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.