Window Gnat vs Greater Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Window Gnat | Greater Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sylvicola fenestralis | Bombylius canescens |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Anisopodidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Window Gnat
A small, delicate fly with dark-spotted wings often found resting on windows and walls. Larvae develop in fermenting organic matter and tree sap runs.
Did You Know?
Despite being one of the most commonly encountered flies on windows throughout Europe, this species remains largely unstudied and overlooked by entomologists.
Greater Bee Fly
A pale greyish bee fly with a long proboscis and clear wings. It parasitizes ground-nesting bees in arid Mediterranean habitats.
Did You Know?
It can hover motionless in the air for extended periods while probing flowers with its rigid proboscis.