High-altitude Hover Fly vs Striped Deer Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | High-altitude Hover Fly | Striped Deer Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platycheirus alpinus | Chrysops vittatus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm body length | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Northern Europe, Alps, Arctic | Eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States |
| 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.
Striped Deer Fly
A small deer fly with distinctive dark bands across its wings and bright green and gold patterned eyes. Females are persistent biters that circle the head and shoulders of hosts.
Did You Know?
Its compound eyes display iridescent green and gold zigzag patterns that fade to dull gray shortly after the fly dies.