High-altitude Hover Fly vs Reindeer Nose Bot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | High-altitude Hover Fly | Reindeer Nose Bot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platycheirus alpinus | Cephenemyia trompe |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 6-9 mm body length | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Northern Europe, Alps, Arctic | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
High-altitude Hover Fly
A small hover fly with flattened front legs, found in alpine and arctic habitats. It is an important pollinator of mountain wildflowers.
Did You Know?
Its flattened front tarsi are thought to help scrape pollen from flowers.
Reindeer Nose Bot Fly
A large, hairy, bee-like fly that squirts live larvae into the nostrils of reindeer. The larvae develop in the nasal passages and throat of the host. Adults resemble bumblebees and do not feed.
Did You Know?
This fly is one of the fastest insects in the world for its size, capable of pursuing running reindeer at speeds exceeding 40 kilometers per hour.