Dotted Bee Fly vs Sand Gnat
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dotted Bee Fly | Sand Gnat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombylius discolor | Culicoides furens |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Ceratopogonidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 1-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Wetlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Coastal Americas from the southeastern United States to Brazil |
| 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.
Sand Gnat
A very small biting midge commonly known as a no-see-um due to its near-invisible size. Despite being barely visible, its bite is intensely painful and causes persistent itching.
Did You Know?
It is so small it can pass through standard window screens, earning the nickname no-see-um.