Bristly Tachinid Fly vs Texas Striped Sweat Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bristly Tachinid Fly | Texas Striped Sweat Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nowickia ferox | Agapostemon texanus |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Halictidae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 9-11 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Grasslands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | North America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bristly Tachinid Fly
A large, heavily bristled tachinid fly with a gray-checkered pattern on the abdomen. It is conspicuously spiny and frequently visits flowers in late summer.
Did You Know?
Its exceptionally long and stiff bristles are thought to help prevent birds from swallowing it.
Texas Striped Sweat Bee
A widespread metallic green sweat bee found across much of North America. Males have distinctive black and yellow abdominal stripes contrasting with their green thorax.
Did You Know?
Males often gather in sleeping clusters on plant stems at dusk, gripping with their mandibles and hanging motionless overnight.