Dark-edged Bee-fly vs Bush Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark-edged Bee-fly Bush Fly
Scientific Name Bombylius major discolor Musca vetustissima
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Bombyliidae Muscidae
Size 8-12mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Asia Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dark-edged Bee-fly

A subspecies of the bee-fly with slightly different wing patterning found in eastern populations.

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Did You Know?

Hovers at spring flowers with its long rigid proboscis extended, looking remarkably like a furry hummingbird.

Bush Fly

Australia's most iconic nuisance fly, swarming around faces to feed on moisture. It breeds in cattle dung across the Australian outback.

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Did You Know?

The classic 'Aussie salute' — waving a hand in front of the face — exists because of this fly.