Rain Fly vs Thyridanthrax Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rain Fly | Thyridanthrax Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haematopota crassicornis | Thyridanthrax fenestratus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, Central Asia | Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Rain Fly
A medium-sized cleg with mottled grey wings and iridescent green eyes. It is most active in humid overcast weather before thunderstorms.
Did You Know?
Its activity increases dramatically before rainstorms, hence the common name 'rain fly'.
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.