Heath Bee Fly vs Reindeer Warble Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Heath Bee Fly | Reindeer Warble Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bombylius minor | Hypoderma tarandi |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 13-17 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Heath Bee Fly
A small, late-summer bee fly with greyish fur and clear wings. Its larvae parasitize solitary wasps in sandy habitats.
Did You Know?
Unlike most bee flies that appear in spring, this species flies mainly in July and August.
Reindeer Warble Fly
A stout, furry fly that parasitizes reindeer and caribou. Females dart at reindeer to lay eggs on their legs. Larvae burrow through the skin and migrate through the body, creating warble lumps under the back skin.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of this fly causes reindeer to panic and stampede, and heavy infestations can reduce a reindeer's body weight by up to 25 percent.