Western Large-headed Bee vs High-altitude Hover Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Large-headed Bee | High-altitude Hover Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ctenocolletes smaragdinus | Platycheirus alpinus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Stenotritidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 6-9 mm body length |
| Habitat | Heathland | Meadows |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Western Australia | Northern Europe, Alps, Arctic |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Western Large-headed Bee
A metallic green bee endemic to Western Australia that belongs to the ancient family Stenotritidae. It nests in sandy soil and forages on native shrubs.
Did You Know?
Its metallic green coloring is unusual for the Stenotritidae family, most of which are dull brown or black.
High-altitude Hover Fly
A small hover fly with flattened front legs, found in alpine and arctic habitats. It is an important pollinator of mountain wildflowers.
Did You Know?
Its flattened front tarsi are thought to help scrape pollen from flowers.