Painted Bee Fly vs Wooly Darkling Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Painted Bee Fly | Wooly Darkling Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemipenthes morio | Eleodes osculans |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Tenebrionidae |
| Size | 7-12 mm | 20-35 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North Africa | North America |
| 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.
Wooly Darkling Beetle
A stout black beetle common in southwestern US deserts. It raises its abdomen in a defensive headstand posture when disturbed.
Did You Know?
It sprays a foul-smelling quinone chemical from its rear end, earning it the nickname stink beetle.