Hummingbird Hawk-Moth vs Banded General Soldier Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hummingbird Hawk-Moth | Banded General Soldier Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macroglossum stellatarum | Stratiomys potamida |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Stratiomyidae |
| Size | 40-50 mm wingspan | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
A day-flying moth that hovers at flowers and produces an audible hum, almost perfectly mimicking a hummingbird. Has exceptional visual memory for flower locations.
Did You Know?
This moth can remember the locations of hundreds of individual flowers and times its visits to when nectar is replenished — a memory feat unmatched by most insects.
Banded General Soldier Fly
A large, boldly marked soldier fly with a broad flat abdomen bearing yellow lateral markings. Its aquatic larvae are elongate and can breathe through a posterior spiracle at the water surface.
Did You Know?
Larvae can survive in heavily polluted water where most other aquatic insects cannot live.