Dark-edged Bee-fly vs Melon Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark-edged Bee-fly Melon Fly
Scientific Name Bombylius major discolor Zeugodacus cucurbitae
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Bombyliidae Tephritidae
Size 8-12mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Asia Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Hawaii
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dark-edged Bee-fly

A subspecies of the bee-fly with slightly different wing patterning found in eastern populations.

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Did You Know?

Hovers at spring flowers with its long rigid proboscis extended, looking remarkably like a furry hummingbird.

Melon Fly

A reddish-yellow fruit fly that is a major pest of melons, cucumbers, and other cucurbits. It has spread from Asia to become invasive across tropical regions.

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Did You Know?

Eradication of the melon fly from Okinawa was one of the most successful sterile insect programs in history.