Pantaloon Bee vs Sand Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pantaloon Bee Sand Robber Fly
Scientific Name Dasypoda hirtipes Philonicus albiceps
Order Hymenoptera Diptera
Family Melittidae Asilidae
Size 12-15 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Beaches & Coastal
Diet Pollen Feeders Predators
Regions Europe Europe, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pantaloon Bee

A distinctive solitary bee where females have enormously long pollen-collecting hairs on their hind legs. It digs deep burrows in sandy soil.

💡

Did You Know?

Its leg hairs can hold so much pollen that the loaded scopae are wider than the bee's entire body.

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.