Fairy Wasp vs Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Fairy Wasp | Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Kikiki huna | Bombylius major |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Mymaridae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 0.13-0.18 mm | 8-18 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America, Oceania | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Fairy Wasp
One of the smallest known insects in the world at just 0.15 millimeters long.
Did You Know?
It is smaller than some single-celled protozoans.
Bee Fly
A fuzzy bee mimic with a long fixed proboscis used for hovering in front of flowers to drink nectar. Despite its innocent appearance, larvae are parasites of solitary bee nests.
Did You Know?
Bee flies are aerial bombers — females flick their eggs into the entrance holes of ground-nesting bee burrows while hovering, never landing.