Tiger Hoverfly vs Eastern Tailed-Blue

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tiger Hoverfly Eastern Tailed-Blue
Scientific Name Helophilus pendulus Cupido comyntas
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Syrphidae Lycaenidae
Size 10-14 mm 20-29 mm wingspan
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tiger Hoverfly

A distinctive hoverfly with bold yellow and black stripes on the thorax. It breeds in muddy, organically enriched water.

💡

Did You Know?

Its longitudinal thorax stripes are unique among common hoverflies, making it easy to identify.

Eastern Tailed-Blue

Tiny blue butterfly with thin tails on the hindwings and orange spots near the tail. One of the smallest and most common butterflies in eastern North America.

💡

Did You Know?

Its tiny hindwing tails mimic antennae, tricking predators into attacking the wrong end.