Common Thick-headed Fly vs Tropical Carpenter Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Thick-headed Fly Tropical Carpenter Bee
Scientific Name Sicus ferrugineus Xylocopa latipes
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Conopidae Apidae
Size 8-12 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Europe South Asia, Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Common Thick-headed Fly

A distinctive orange-brown fly with a disproportionately large, inflated head and a curved abdomen. It perches conspicuously on flowers waiting to intercept passing bumblebees.

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Did You Know?

The parasitized bumblebee eventually dies and buries itself in the ground, where the fly larva pupates inside the bee.

Tropical Carpenter Bee

One of the largest bee species in Asia with jet-black coloring and broad wings. They produce a loud buzzing flight sound and bore into bamboo and dead timber.

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Did You Know?

Their enormous size and loud buzz often cause alarm, but they are generally docile and rarely sting.