South American Swallowtail vs Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South American Swallowtail | Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heraclides thoas | Bombylius major |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Papilionidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 100-130 mm wingspan | 8-18 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Brazil, Argentina, Central America, southern United States | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
South American Swallowtail
A large swallowtail butterfly with black wings bearing bright yellow band patterns and prominent tail extensions. It is a strong, rapid flier.
Did You Know?
When threatened, its caterpillar extends a bright orange forked organ called an osmeterium that releases a foul smell.
Bee Fly
A fuzzy bee mimic with a long fixed proboscis used for hovering in front of flowers to drink nectar. Despite its innocent appearance, larvae are parasites of solitary bee nests.
Did You Know?
Bee flies are aerial bombers — females flick their eggs into the entrance holes of ground-nesting bee burrows while hovering, never landing.