Neotropical Bee Assassin vs Common Thick-headed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Bee Assassin | Common Thick-headed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apiomerus pictipes | Sicus ferrugineus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Diptera |
| Family | Reduviidae | Conopidae |
| Size | 14-20 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South America (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela) | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Neotropical Bee Assassin
A stout, colorful assassin bug that specializes in capturing bees and wasps visiting flowers. Its bright red, orange, and black coloring may serve as aposematic warning. It coats its forelegs with plant resins to improve grip when seizing fast-moving prey.
Did You Know?
It has been observed applying resin from specific plant species to its legs in a deliberate, repeated behavior that qualifies as tool use.
Common Thick-headed Fly
A distinctive orange-brown fly with a disproportionately large, inflated head and a curved abdomen. It perches conspicuously on flowers waiting to intercept passing bumblebees.
Did You Know?
The parasitized bumblebee eventually dies and buries itself in the ground, where the fly larva pupates inside the bee.