Large Shaggy Bee vs Sand Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Shaggy Bee | Sand Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Panurgus banksianus | Philonicus albiceps |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Large Shaggy Bee
A densely hairy black bee that specializes on composite flowers, particularly hawkbits and dandelions. Males have distinctively swollen, lemon-yellow faces.
Did You Know?
Males' bright yellow face patches are thought to mimic the yellow disc florets of the composites they frequent, possibly to ambush females visiting flowers.
Sand Robber Fly
A pale sandy-colored robber fly found on coastal dunes and sandy heaths. It hunts other flies and small insects on open sand.
Did You Know?
Its pale coloration provides perfect camouflage against the sandy substrates where it hunts.