Marmalade Hoverfly vs Sweat Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Marmalade Hoverfly | Sweat Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Episyrphus balteatus balteatus | Halictus ligatus |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Halictidae |
| Size | 8-12mm | 7-11 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | North America |
| 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.
Sweat Bee
A small, dark metallic bee that is attracted to human perspiration for its salt content. It exhibits variable social behavior ranging from solitary to primitively eusocial nesting.
Did You Know?
Sweat bees are among the most important wild pollinators of crops, and some species can switch between solitary and social living depending on environmental conditions.