Thyridanthrax Bee Fly vs African Blister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thyridanthrax Bee Fly | African Blister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Thyridanthrax fenestratus | Mylabris oculata |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Meloidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 15-30 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Thyridanthrax Bee Fly
A bee fly with distinctive clear 'windows' in otherwise dark wings, found in sandy habitats across southern Europe. Larvae are parasitoids of tiger beetle and solitary wasp larvae.
Did You Know?
The translucent 'windows' in its dark wings may help break up its outline, camouflaging it against dappled sandy ground.
African Blister Beetle
A conspicuous beetle with orange-red and black banded elytra. It contains cantharidin, a potent toxin that can cause severe skin blistering on contact.
Did You Know?
Its cantharidin is so toxic that even a small amount can kill a horse if ingested with contaminated hay or alfalfa.