Fruit Fly vs Greater Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Fruit Fly | Greater Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Drosophila melanogaster | Bombylius canescens |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Drosophilidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide | Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Fruit Fly
The most studied organism in genetics. Six Nobel Prizes have been awarded for research on this tiny fly. 75% of human disease genes have recognizable matches in its genome.
Did You Know?
The fruit fly shares 60% of its DNA with humans and 75% of human disease genes have a match in the fruit fly genome — making it invaluable for medical research.
Greater Bee Fly
A pale greyish bee fly with a long proboscis and clear wings. It parasitizes ground-nesting bees in arid Mediterranean habitats.
Did You Know?
It can hover motionless in the air for extended periods while probing flowers with its rigid proboscis.