Tormus Bee vs Common Thick-headed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tormus Bee | Common Thick-headed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Perdita minima | Sicus ferrugineus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Andrenidae | Conopidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southwestern United States | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tormus Bee
The smallest known bee in the world at under 2 mm in length. It is a solitary ground-nesting species found in the southwestern US deserts.
Did You Know?
It is so tiny that it could comfortably fit inside the letter O on a printed page.
Common Thick-headed Fly
A distinctive orange-brown fly with a disproportionately large, inflated head and a curved abdomen. It perches conspicuously on flowers waiting to intercept passing bumblebees.
Did You Know?
The parasitized bumblebee eventually dies and buries itself in the ground, where the fly larva pupates inside the bee.