Tapered Drone Fly vs Punctate Sweat Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tapered Drone Fly Punctate Sweat Bee
Scientific Name Eristalis pertinax Lasioglossum punctatissimum
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Syrphidae Halictidae
Size 12-16 mm 5-6 mm
Habitat Wetlands Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tapered Drone Fly

A large hoverfly resembling a honeybee but distinguished by its yellow-tipped front tarsi. It is active from early spring to late autumn.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the earliest hoverflies to appear in spring, sometimes flying on warm days in February.

Punctate Sweat Bee

A tiny, dark furrow bee with dense punctation covering its thorax and head. It is one of the most common but overlooked solitary bees in European grasslands.

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Did You Know?

Its heavily sculpted exoskeleton with thousands of tiny pits gives it a matte finish that distinguishes it from shinier related species.