Mountain Hover Fly vs Hover Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Hover Fly Hover Fly
Scientific Name Arctophila superbiens Syrphus ribesii
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Syrphidae Syrphidae
Size 10-14 mm body length 10-13 mm
Habitat Meadows Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Northern Europe, Alps, Siberia Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mountain Hover Fly

A furry, bumblebee-mimicking hover fly of alpine meadows. Its dense body hair helps it retain heat in cold mountain environments.

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Did You Know?

Its convincing bumblebee mimicry deters predators despite being completely harmless.

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.

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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.