Marmalade Hoverfly vs Antarctic Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Marmalade Hoverfly | Antarctic Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Episyrphus balteatus balteatus | Belgica antarctica |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 8-12mm | 2-6 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Antarctica |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Marmalade Hoverfly
A common hoverfly with distinctive double black bands on an orange abdomen. One of the most effective migrant pollinators.
Did You Know?
Migrates in billions from continental Europe to Britain each spring and its larvae eat astronomical numbers of aphids.
Antarctic Midge
The only insect endemic to Antarctica and the continents largest purely terrestrial animal at 2-6 mm. Wingless, freeze-tolerant, and can survive temperatures down to -15C.
Did You Know?
This midge has the smallest known insect genome at 99 million base pairs — 97% smaller than a mosquito, likely an adaptation to survive extreme cold with minimal energy.