Hoverfly vs Brimstone
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hoverfly | Brimstone |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Episyrphus balteatus | Gonepteryx rhamni |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Pieridae |
| Size | 7-12 mm | 52-60 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Europe, Asia, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hoverfly
Excellent Batesian mimics of wasps and bees. Important pollinators often overlooked. Can hover perfectly stationary in mid-air and even fly backwards.
Did You Know?
Hoverflies are so skilled at hovering that they can maintain their exact position in space even in strong winds, adjusting wing beats up to 300 times per second.
Brimstone
Males are vivid sulphur-yellow; females are pale greenish-white. Leaf-shaped wings provide excellent camouflage at rest.
Did You Know?
The word butterfly may derive from the butter-yellow colour of the Brimstone, one of the earliest to fly.