Amazon Sphinx Moth vs Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Amazon Sphinx Moth | Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cocytius antaeus | Bombylius major |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Sphingidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 130-175 mm wingspan | 8-18 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, Central America, Caribbean, southern United States | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Amazon Sphinx Moth
One of the largest sphinx moths in the Americas with a long, narrow body and pointed wings. Its tongue can exceed 30 centimeters in length.
Did You Know?
Its extraordinarily long proboscis evolved alongside deep-tubed orchids in a classic example of co-evolution.
Bee Fly
A fuzzy bee mimic with a long fixed proboscis used for hovering in front of flowers to drink nectar. Despite its innocent appearance, larvae are parasites of solitary bee nests.
Did You Know?
Bee flies are aerial bombers — females flick their eggs into the entrance holes of ground-nesting bee burrows while hovering, never landing.