Trimmer's Mining Bee vs Zodion Thick-headed Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Trimmer's Mining Bee Zodion Thick-headed Fly
Scientific Name Andrena trimmerana Zodion cinereum
Order Hymenoptera Diptera
Family Andrenidae Conopidae
Size 10-12 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Grasslands Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Trimmer's Mining Bee

A widespread spring mining bee with brownish-grey fur and a distinctive tooth on the hind femur. It forages on a wide range of early-blooming flowers.

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Did You Know?

The small femoral tooth on its hind leg distinguishes it from nearly all other European Andrena species.

Zodion Thick-headed Fly

A small, grayish-brown conopid fly with a slightly swollen head and prominent proboscis. It is commonly found on flowers where it stalks small bees and wasps for parasitism.

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Did You Know?

Unlike larger conopids that tackle bumblebees, this species specializes in parasitizing smaller sweat bees and halictids.