Southern Dogface vs Heath Bee Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southern Dogface Heath Bee Fly
Scientific Name Zerene cesonia Bombylius minor
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Pieridae Bombyliidae
Size 46-64 mm wingspan 7-10 mm
Habitat Heathland Beaches & Coastal
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions North America, Central America, South America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Southern Dogface

Yellow butterfly with a pointed forewing showing a poodle-dog-face pattern in black. Males have a warm orange flush on the upper wing surface.

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Did You Know?

The forewing markings form a recognizable dog face profile when the wings are spread open.

Heath Bee Fly

A small, late-summer bee fly with greyish fur and clear wings. Its larvae parasitize solitary wasps in sandy habitats.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most bee flies that appear in spring, this species flies mainly in July and August.