Golden-tailed Hoverfly vs Small Apollo

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden-tailed Hoverfly Small Apollo
Scientific Name Chrysotoxum cautum Parnassius phoebus
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Syrphidae Papilionidae
Size 10-14 mm 50-60 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Meadows
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Central Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Golden-tailed Hoverfly

A wasp-mimicking hoverfly with bold yellow and black bands and long antennae. It flies with a distinctive slow, wasp-like flight pattern.

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Did You Know?

Its unusually long antennae enhance its wasp mimicry, fooling both predators and humans.

Small Apollo

A high-altitude alpine butterfly with translucent white wings bearing small red and black spots. It flies weakly over alpine meadows and scree slopes above the treeline.

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Did You Know?

It only occurs above the treeline in the Alps and is one of Europe's highest-altitude butterflies.