Progressive Bee Fly vs Lana'i Sandalwood Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Progressive Bee Fly Lana'i Sandalwood Moth
Scientific Name Exoprosopa fasciata Iliahia pahulu
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Bombyliidae Gracillariidae
Size 10-16 mm 5-8 mm wingspan
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Africa, Asia Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Critically Endangered

Progressive Bee Fly

A large bee fly with boldly banded wings in dark brown and clear patterns. It is a fast and agile flyer, frequently hovering at flowers in arid landscapes.

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Did You Know?

Its boldly patterned wings may serve as camouflage when resting on dappled ground in arid habitats.

Lana'i Sandalwood Moth

A critically endangered moth discovered in 2026, known only from a small grove of roughly 30 sandalwood trees on the island of Lanai. Its larvae mine sandalwood leaves.

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Did You Know?

This moth is known from just one grove of 30 trees — if those sandalwood trees disappear, this entire species vanishes with them.