High-altitude Hover Fly vs Stable Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | High-altitude Hover Fly | Stable Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platycheirus alpinus | Stomoxys calcitrans |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Muscidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm body length | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Northern Europe, Alps, Arctic | Worldwide |
| 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.
Stable Fly
A blood-feeding fly that closely resembles the house fly but has a prominent piercing proboscis. It is a painful biter of livestock and humans.
Did You Know?
Unlike house flies, both males and females are blood feeders and deliver a painful bite.