Dawson's Burrowing Bee vs Alpine Hover Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dawson's Burrowing Bee | Alpine Hover Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amegilla dawsoni | Sericomyia silentis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Apidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 18-24 mm | 14-18 mm body length |
| Habitat | Heathland | Meadows |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Western Australia | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dawson's Burrowing Bee
A large solitary bee endemic to Western Australia that nests in massive aggregations in hardpan clay. Males engage in violent aerial combat to mate with emerging females.
Did You Know?
Male combat is so fierce that individuals frequently die from injuries sustained during mating battles.
Alpine Hover Fly
A large hover fly with bold yellow-and-black banding mimicking a wasp. It visits alpine flowers for nectar in mountain meadows.
Did You Know?
Its larvae are rat-tailed maggots that breathe through a snorkel-like siphon in waterlogged soil.