Dotted Bee Fly vs Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dotted Bee Fly Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle
Scientific Name Bombylius discolor Mordella haldemani
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Bombyliidae Mordellidae
Size 10-14 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Meadows
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Eastern North America
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.

Haldeman's Tumbling Flower Beetle

A small black tumbling flower beetle found in eastern North America. It is commonly seen on composite flowers in summer meadows.

💡

Did You Know?

Its spine-tipped abdomen acts as a spring-loaded lever that launches the beetle into the air when disturbed.