Hummingbird Hawk-Moth vs Batman Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hummingbird Hawk-Moth | Batman Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macroglossum stellatarum | Myathropa florea |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 40-50 mm wingspan | 12-15 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Europe, Western 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.
Batman Hoverfly
A wasp-mimicking hoverfly with a distinctive bat-shaped marking on its thorax, earning it the nickname 'batman hoverfly.' Larvae develop in water-filled tree holes as aquatic filter feeders.
Did You Know?
The dark bat-shaped mark on its thorax is so distinctive that it can be identified at a glance from above.