Painted Bee Fly vs Black-Tailed Deer Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Painted Bee Fly | Black-Tailed Deer Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemipenthes morio | Chrysops niger |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 7-12 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Wetlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North Africa | Northeastern United States and southeastern Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Painted Bee Fly
A dark-bodied bee fly with characteristic half-blackened wings that give it a distinctive silhouette. It is commonly seen sunbathing on bare patches of ground in warm habitats.
Did You Know?
It is a hyperparasitoid, meaning its larvae parasitize the parasites of other insects.
Black-Tailed Deer Fly
A small dark deer fly with mostly blackened wings and green iridescent eyes. It is an aggressive daytime biter commonly encountered near wooded wetlands.
Did You Know?
It is most active during overcast humid days and tends to bite repeatedly if swatted away without being killed.