Dark-edged Bee-fly vs Nymphidium mantus

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark-edged Bee-fly Nymphidium mantus
Scientific Name Bombylius major discolor Nymphidium mantus
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Bombyliidae Riodinidae
Size 8-12mm 28-35 mm wingspan
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Asia South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dark-edged Bee-fly

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

💡

Did You Know?

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

Nymphidium mantus

White butterfly with dark wing edges resembling a tiny pierid. Caterpillars are tended by ants in a mutualistic relationship.

💡

Did You Know?

Larvae produce ant-attracting secretions and are guarded by aggressive ant colonies.