Rosy Underwing vs Arctic Hover Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rosy Underwing | Arctic Hover Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Catocala electa | Syrphus torvus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 65-80 mm wingspan | 9-13 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Central and southern Europe, temperate Asia | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Rosy Underwing
A large moth with camouflaged grey-brown forewings hiding vivid rosy-pink and black hindwings. When disturbed, the flash of pink confuses predators as it drops from its perch.
Did You Know?
Like all underwing moths, it uses a startle display, flashing its bright hindwings then vanishing as it re-covers them.
Arctic Hover Fly
A medium-sized hover fly with bold yellow and black banding that mimics a wasp. It is a skilled hoverer that can remain stationary in midair. Larvae are voracious predators of aphids on subarctic plants.
Did You Know?
This hover fly is an important pollinator in subarctic regions where honeybees are absent, visiting many northern wildflowers.