Thyridanthrax Bee Fly vs Spruce Budworm Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Thyridanthrax Bee Fly Spruce Budworm Parasite
Scientific Name Thyridanthrax fenestratus Meteorus trachynotus
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Bombyliidae Braconidae
Size 8-14 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Parasitoids Parasitoids
Regions Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East North America
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.

Spruce Budworm Parasite

A small brown braconid wasp that is a key natural enemy of the spruce budworm in North American boreal forests. It suspends its cocoon on a silk thread from the host.

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Did You Know?

Its cocoon dangles from a silk thread like a tiny pendulum, which may protect it from ground-dwelling predators.