High-altitude Hover Fly vs Yam Hawk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | High-altitude Hover Fly | Yam Hawk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platycheirus alpinus | Theretra oldenlandiae |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm body length | 50-65 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Northern Europe, Alps, Arctic | South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia |
| 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.
Yam Hawk Moth
A widespread tropical hawk moth with olive-brown forewings and contrasting dark and light lateral body stripes. Its larvae feed on a wide variety of plants including yams and grape vines.
Did You Know?
This species is one of the most polyphagous hawk moths, with larvae recorded feeding on plants from more than a dozen different families.