African Horse Fly vs Villa Bee Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Horse Fly Villa Bee Fly
Scientific Name Tabanus biguttatus Villa hottentotta
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tabanidae Bombyliidae
Size 16-22 mm 10-16 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Heathland
Diet Blood Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Europe, Central Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Horse Fly

A large tropical horse fly that transmits animal trypanosomiasis in Africa. It is an important veterinary pest across sub-Saharan Africa.

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Did You Know?

It is a mechanical vector of surra and other trypanosome diseases in African livestock.

Villa Bee Fly

A striking bee fly with dark-tipped wings and a stout, densely hairy body. Its larvae are parasitoids of moth caterpillars and pupae in the soil.

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Did You Know?

Despite its fearsome appearance with dark smoky wings, it is a harmless nectar feeder that cannot bite or sting.