Greater Bee Fly vs Plain-faced Dronefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Greater Bee Fly | Plain-faced Dronefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombylius canescens | Eristalis arbustorum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 9-11 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Gardens |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia | Europe, North America, 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.
Plain-faced Dronefly
A small, dark dronefly with a distinctive bare facial stripe. It is one of the most common hoverflies visiting garden flowers in summer.
Did You Know?
It can be distinguished from other droneflies by the shiny, hairless stripe down the center of its face.