Narrow-winged Bee Fly vs Alpine Bumblebee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Narrow-winged Bee Fly | Alpine Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Systoechus vulgaris | Bombus alpinus |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Apidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 14-20 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Mountains |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North Africa | Scandinavia, Finnish Lapland, Kola Peninsula, Ural Mountains |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Narrow-winged Bee Fly
A small, hairy bee fly with a rounded body and a short proboscis compared to Bombylius species. It hovers at flowers in arid habitats, frequently visiting low-growing composites.
Did You Know?
Its larvae are important natural enemies of grasshoppers, entering and consuming their egg pods in the soil.
Alpine Bumblebee
A large bumblebee with distinctive orange-red tail and dark body covered in dense fur. It is found at high elevations in Scandinavian mountains. Colonies are small due to the short growing season.
Did You Know?
This bumblebee has been observed foraging at altitudes exceeding 2000 meters in Scandinavia where few other pollinators venture.