Thyridanthrax Bee Fly vs Spring Stonefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Thyridanthrax Bee Fly Spring Stonefly
Scientific Name Thyridanthrax fenestratus Amphinemura sulcicollis
Order Diptera Plecoptera
Family Bombyliidae Nemouridae
Size 8-14 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Parasitoids Detritivores
Regions Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East Europe
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.

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Did You Know?

The translucent 'windows' in its dark wings may help break up its outline, camouflaging it against dappled sandy ground.

Spring Stonefly

A small dark stonefly that emerges in early spring in European streams. Nymphs are shredders of decomposing leaf litter in headwaters.

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Did You Know?

Adults are among the first insects to appear each spring, sometimes emerging while snow still covers the banks.