Tsetse Fly (Forest) vs European Oil Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tsetse Fly (Forest) | European Oil Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Glossina palpalis | Macropis europaea |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Glossinidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 9-12 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Africa | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Tsetse Fly (Forest)
A major vector of African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). Unique among flies for giving live birth to a single large larva nourished internally with a milk-like substance.
Did You Know?
The tsetse fly nourishes its single developing larva with a milk gland — this is the closest any insect comes to mammalian lactation and pregnancy.
European Oil Bee
One of only two Northern Hemisphere bees that collect floral oils instead of nectar as a food provision. It collects oils from yellow loosestrife flowers.
Did You Know?
It mixes collected floral oil with pollen to create a waterproof, long-lasting larval food that resists mold in its damp underground nests.