Unequal Cellophane Bee vs Dance Fly with Feathered Legs
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Unequal Cellophane Bee | Dance Fly with Feathered Legs |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colletes inaequalis | Rhamphomyia sulcata |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Colletidae | Empididae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Unequal Cellophane Bee
An early spring bee that forms large nesting aggregations in sandy soil. It lines its cells with a waterproof secretion resembling cellophane.
Did You Know?
Nesting aggregations can alarm homeowners as thousands of bees emerge from lawns, but they are docile and rarely sting.
Dance Fly with Feathered Legs
A small dance fly where females have distinctive feathered or pennate leg scales used to attract males. Females inflate their abdomen to appear larger during swarming displays.
Did You Know?
In a rare reversal, females are the ornamented sex, using feathered legs and inflated abdomens to compete for males.