Regent Skipper vs Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Regent Skipper | Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Euschemon rafflesia | Episyrphus balteatus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Hesperiidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 5-6 cm wingspan | 7-12 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Australia | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Regent Skipper
A large, strikingly colored skipper butterfly with black wings marked by bold yellow and blue patches. It is the only skipper in the world that couples its wings like a true butterfly.
Did You Know?
It is so unique it is placed in its own subfamily, Euschemoninae, found nowhere else on Earth.
Hoverfly
Excellent Batesian mimics of wasps and bees. Important pollinators often overlooked. Can hover perfectly stationary in mid-air and even fly backwards.
Did You Know?
Hoverflies are so skilled at hovering that they can maintain their exact position in space even in strong winds, adjusting wing beats up to 300 times per second.