Hover Fly vs Police Car Swallowtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hover Fly | Police Car Swallowtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Syrphus ribesii | Graphium policenes |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 60-75 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | West and Central Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, DRC, Ivory Coast) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hover Fly
A bright yellow and black banded hoverfly that is an excellent wasp mimic. It hovers motionless in sunbeams before darting to a new position with extraordinary agility.
Did You Know?
Hoverflies are the only insects besides hummingbirds and hawk-moths that can truly hover in one spot, fly backward, and fly sideways with precision.
Police Car Swallowtail
A striking swallowtail butterfly with black wings covered in small pale green spots resembling a police car's livery. It has short hindwing tails and a rapid, darting flight. Common in forest areas throughout its range.
Did You Know?
Its common name comes from the black-and-white spotted pattern that was thought to resemble early police vehicles.