Sweat Fly vs Macropis Cuckoo Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sweat Fly Macropis Cuckoo Bee
Scientific Name Hydrotaea irritans Epeoloides coecutiens
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Muscidae Melittidae
Size 5-7 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Parasites
Regions Europe, North America Europe, Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Sweat Fly

A small dark fly attracted to perspiration on humans and livestock. It forms dense head-circling swarms in summer that can be extremely annoying.

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Did You Know?

Swarms of these flies can reduce cattle weight gain by causing constant head-tossing behavior.

Macropis Cuckoo Bee

A rare cleptoparasitic bee that targets nests of Macropis oil-collecting bees. It was once thought extinct in North America before being rediscovered in Nova Scotia in 2002.

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Did You Know?

Its dramatic rediscovery in North America after decades of presumed extinction made international conservation news.