Marmalade Hoverfly vs Alpine Bumblebee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Marmalade Hoverfly | Alpine Bumblebee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Episyrphus balteatus balteatus | Bombus alpinus |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Apidae |
| Size | 8-12mm | 14-20 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Mountains |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Scandinavia, Finnish Lapland, Kola Peninsula, Ural Mountains |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Marmalade Hoverfly
A common hoverfly with distinctive double black bands on an orange abdomen. One of the most effective migrant pollinators.
Did You Know?
Migrates in billions from continental Europe to Britain each spring and its larvae eat astronomical numbers of aphids.
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.