Cinnabar Moth vs Heath Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cinnabar Moth | Heath Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tyria jacobaeae | Bombylius minor |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Erebidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 32-42 mm wingspan | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, central Asia (introduced to Australasia and Americas) | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cinnabar Moth
A day-flying moth with charcoal-black wings marked with crimson-red stripes and spots. It has been deliberately introduced worldwide as a biological control agent for ragwort.
Did You Know?
Its caterpillars store toxic alkaloids from ragwort, making them so distasteful that birds learn to avoid them.
Heath Bee Fly
A small, late-summer bee fly with greyish fur and clear wings. Its larvae parasitize solitary wasps in sandy habitats.
Did You Know?
Unlike most bee flies that appear in spring, this species flies mainly in July and August.