Dotted Bee Fly vs Giant Swallowtail of the Andes
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dotted Bee Fly | Giant Swallowtail of the Andes |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombylius discolor | Papilio thoas |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 110-140 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Dotted Bee Fly
A spring-flying bee fly distinguished from its commoner relative by spotted wings and a darker fur coat. Its larvae parasitize mining bee larvae of the genus Andrena.
Did You Know?
It appears only in spring for a few weeks, closely tracking the flight season of its specific Andrena bee hosts.
Giant Swallowtail of the Andes
One of the largest swallowtail butterflies in South America, with bold yellow and black striped wings and long tail streamers. It is a powerful flier that ranges from sea level to over 2000 m in the Andes. Larvae mimic bird droppings as a defense mechanism.
Did You Know?
When threatened, the caterpillar everts a bright red forked organ called an osmeterium from behind its head, releasing a foul-smelling chemical.