Desert Honeybee vs Spine-legged Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Desert Honeybee Spine-legged Robber Fly
Scientific Name Apis mellifera jemenitica Diogmites angustipennis
Order Hymenoptera Diptera
Family Apidae Asilidae
Size 10-13 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions Africa, Middle East North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Desert Honeybee

A small, heat-tolerant subspecies of honeybee native to the deserts of Africa and Arabia. It can forage at temperatures that would ground other bee subspecies.

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Did You Know?

It is highly resistant to the Varroa mite, making it a valuable genetic resource for beekeeping worldwide.

Spine-legged Robber Fly

A slender amber-colored robber fly with conspicuously spined legs. It hunts from the ground in open sandy or rocky areas.

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Did You Know?

Its heavily spined legs form a basket-like cage to trap prey in mid-air.