Swallow Louse Fly vs Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Swallow Louse Fly Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee
Scientific Name Ornithomya avicularia Megachile ligniseca
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Hippoboscidae Megachilidae
Size 5-7 mm 13-16 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Blood Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Swallow Louse Fly

A flattened, brownish winged louse fly that parasitizes a wide range of bird species. It moves rapidly through feathers using its laterally compressed body and strong tarsal claws.

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Did You Know?

It can parasitize over 30 different bird species, making it one of the most host-generalist hippoboscid flies.

Wood-carving Leafcutter Bee

A large, dark leafcutter bee that nests in rotten wood and dead tree stumps across Europe. Females cut large leaf pieces from roses, birch, and willows.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most leafcutter bees that use pre-existing holes, it chews its own nest cavities directly into soft rotten wood.