Marmalade Hoverfly vs Narrow-winged Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Marmalade Hoverfly | Narrow-winged Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Episyrphus balteatus balteatus | Systoechus vulgaris |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 8-12mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | Europe, Asia, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Narrow-winged Bee Fly
A small, hairy bee fly with a rounded body and a short proboscis compared to Bombylius species. It hovers at flowers in arid habitats, frequently visiting low-growing composites.
Did You Know?
Its larvae are important natural enemies of grasshoppers, entering and consuming their egg pods in the soil.