Dark-edged Bee-fly vs Superb Green Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark-edged Bee-fly Superb Green Cicada
Scientific Name Bombylius major discolor Neotibicen superbus
Order Diptera Hemiptera
Family Bombyliidae Cicadidae
Size 8-12mm 33-40 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Nectar Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Asia Southwestern United States from Texas to Arizona
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.

Superb Green Cicada

A large and strikingly green cicada of the American Southwest with a powerful buzzing song. It is one of the most robust cicada species in North America.

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Did You Know?

Its call is so loud it can reach over 100 decibels, making it one of the noisiest insects in North America.