Greater Bee Fly vs Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Greater Bee Fly | Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombylius canescens | Nomada leucophthalma |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Apidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 9-12 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Four-spotted Cuckoo Bee
A wasp-like cuckoo bee with reddish-brown and yellow markings that parasitizes Andrena mining bees. It is one of the earliest flying spring bees in Europe.
Did You Know?
It closely resembles a small wasp rather than a bee, which helps it avoid being recognized as a threat by its hosts.