Dotted Bee Fly vs Miami Blue

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dotted Bee Fly Miami Blue
Scientific Name Bombylius discolor Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Bombyliidae Lycaenidae
Size 10-14 mm 2-2.5 cm wingspan
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Beaches & Coastal
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe United States
Conservation Least Concern Critically Endangered

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.

Miami Blue

A small blue butterfly once common throughout coastal South Florida. It is now restricted to a few islands in the Florida Keys.

💡

Did You Know?

Hurricane Andrew in 1992 devastated much of its remaining habitat, accelerating its decline.