Hoverfly vs Hover Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hoverfly | Hover Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Episyrphus balteatus | Syrphus ribesii |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 7-12 mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Europe, Asia |
| 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.
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.