High-altitude Midge vs Pellucid Hoverfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	High-altitude Midge	Pellucid Hoverfly
Scientific Name	Diamesa latitarsis	Volucella pellucens
Order	Diptera	Diptera
Family	Chironomidae	Syrphidae
Size	2-4 mm body length	14-17 mm
Habitat	Mountains	Underground
Diet	Omnivores	Scavengers
Regions	Alps, Carpathians, Scandinavia	Europe, Western Asia
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

High-altitude Midge

A small, dark midge whose larvae inhabit the coldest alpine streams. It has unusually broad tarsi adapted for walking on wet rocks.

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Its broad feet allow it to grip wet rocks in fast-flowing glacial streams.

A large black hoverfly with a striking translucent white band across its abdomen. Its larvae are inquilines in the underground nests of social wasps.

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Its translucent white abdominal band makes it look like it has a window in its body, unlike any other hoverfly.