Tiger Bee Fly vs African Earwig
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tiger Bee Fly | African Earwig |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xenox tigrinus | Forficula senegalensis |
| Order | Diptera | Dermaptera |
| Family | Bombyliidae | Forficulidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 10-16 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Detritivores |
| Regions | North America | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tiger Bee Fly
A large, dramatic bee fly with boldly patterned black and white spotted wings. It is commonly seen flying around wooden structures where its host carpenter bees nest.
Did You Know?
Females hover at carpenter bee nest entrances and flick eggs inside while the bee is away foraging.
African Earwig
A small, dark brown earwig with distinctive curved cerci (pincers) at the tip of the abdomen. It is nocturnal and hides in dark crevices during the day.
Did You Know?
Mother earwigs exhibit remarkable maternal care, guarding their eggs and cleaning them to prevent fungal infection, then protecting the nymphs after hatching.