Bee Fly vs Claudina Metalmark
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bee Fly | Claudina Metalmark |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombylius major | Mesosemia claudia |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Riodinidae |
| Size | 8-18 mm | 30-38 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Asia | Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Claudina Metalmark
A small, dark-winged metalmark butterfly with fine silvery-blue spots along the wing margins. It rests with wings spread flat in shady forest understory.
Did You Know?
Metalmark butterflies get their name from the tiny metallic-looking spots on their wings that glint in stray beams of light.