Army Ant Rove Beetle vs Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Army Ant Rove Beetle | Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ecitomorpha arachnoides | Bombylius major |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 8-18 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, South America | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Army Ant Rove Beetle
An extraordinary myrmecophilous rove beetle whose body remarkably mimics the shape of its host army ants. It lives exclusively among New World army ant colonies, marching with them on raids.
Did You Know?
Its body shape so closely mimics that of its host ant that early entomologists initially classified it as an ant rather than a beetle.
Bee Fly
A fuzzy bee mimic with a long fixed proboscis used for hovering in front of flowers to drink nectar. Despite its innocent appearance, larvae are parasites of solitary bee nests.
Did You Know?
Bee flies are aerial bombers — females flick their eggs into the entrance holes of ground-nesting bee burrows while hovering, never landing.