Neotropical Blue Hairstreak vs Thyridanthrax Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Blue Hairstreak | Thyridanthrax Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudolycaena marsyas | Thyridanthrax fenestratus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 35-45 mm wingspan | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia | Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Neotropical Blue Hairstreak
A brilliant iridescent blue hairstreak butterfly with delicate tail streamers on the hind wings. Its underside is pale grey with fine dark lines.
Did You Know?
Its false head pattern on the hind wing tips, complete with fake antennae, tricks predators into attacking the wrong end.
Thyridanthrax Bee Fly
A bee fly with distinctive clear 'windows' in otherwise dark wings, found in sandy habitats across southern Europe. Larvae are parasitoids of tiger beetle and solitary wasp larvae.
Did You Know?
The translucent 'windows' in its dark wings may help break up its outline, camouflaging it against dappled sandy ground.