Greenhead Horse Fly vs Tiger Bee Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Greenhead Horse Fly Tiger Bee Fly
Scientific Name Tabanus nigrovittatus Xenox tigrinus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tabanidae Bombyliidae
Size 12-15 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Woodlands
Diet Blood Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Eastern North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Greenhead Horse Fly

A coastal salt marsh horse fly with bright green eyes. It is the most abundant biting fly along the Atlantic coast of North America.

💡

Did You Know?

Greenheads are so abundant in some coastal areas that they limit beach recreation in summer.

Tiger Bee Fly

A large, dramatic bee fly with boldly patterned black and white spotted wings. It is commonly seen flying around wooden structures where its host carpenter bees nest.

💡

Did You Know?

Females hover at carpenter bee nest entrances and flick eggs inside while the bee is away foraging.