Bee Fly vs Parasitic Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bee Fly | Parasitic Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombylius major | Winthemia rufopicta |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Tachinidae |
| Size | 8-18 mm | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Asia | North America, Europe, Asia |
| 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.
Parasitic Bee Fly
A medium-sized tachinid fly that parasitizes armyworm caterpillars and other crop pest larvae. It is found across multiple continents.
Did You Know?
Females deposit multiple larvae on a single caterpillar but only one typically survives to maturity.