Smeathman's Furrow Bee vs Yellow-legged Dance Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Smeathman's Furrow Bee Yellow-legged Dance Fly
Scientific Name Lasioglossum smeathmanellum Empis livida
Order Hymenoptera Diptera
Family Halictidae Empididae
Size 4-5 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Underground Rivers & Streams
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, North Africa Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Smeathman's Furrow Bee

One of the smallest bees in the world, this tiny metallic species nests in old mortar joints and earthen banks. It is surprisingly common in European towns and cities.

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Did You Know?

At just 4 mm long it is barely larger than a grain of rice and is frequently mistaken for a tiny fly.

Yellow-legged Dance Fly

A medium-sized dance fly with yellowish legs, a grayish body, and a distinctive long proboscis. It forms conspicuous mating swarms near streams and in sheltered clearings.

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Did You Know?

In some dance fly species, males wrap worthless objects in silk to trick females into mating, a form of sexual deception.