Zodion Thick-headed Fly vs Desert Digger Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Zodion Thick-headed Fly | Desert Digger Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zodion cinereum | Centris pallida |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Conopidae | Apidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
Unlike larger conopids that tackle bumblebees, this species specializes in parasitizing smaller sweat bees and halictids.
Desert Digger Bee
A large, fuzzy solitary bee of the Sonoran Desert that nests in burrows in hard-packed soil. Males patrol nesting areas and dig up emerging females to mate.
Did You Know?
Males locate females still underground by detecting their scent through the soil surface.