Yes, you read that right: A cute bug! Well, that is up to debate, but it is definitely not as a gross as other bugs, like that hand-sized spider I had in my house that one time…
Because of the way they hover and their fuzzy bodies, these cute little fellas kind of look like a cross between a hummingbird and a bee. Their long mouth/noses resemble those of a nasty mosquito, but the fact that they are barely 10mm long (approximately the length of the first part of your pinkie finger) and harmless pollinators make them really people-friendly. Join us after the jump as we meet arguably the world’s most affable insect: the Tiger Bee Fly.
▼ Is he cute or what? I kind of want to pet him…
The “bee fly” refers not only to the appearance, but also to how they lay their eggs in the nest of Carpenter Bees, allowing the bee fly babies to hatch and eat the Carpenter Bee babies before maturity (we said they were cute and people-friendly).
▼ Oh, how tiny! …Wait, oh how… huge?!
The bad news is that the Tiger Bee Flies are going extinct! Apparently, less than 100 are identified in one season. While other bee flies populate various areas of Eurasia, this specific type are mainly found in Okayama Prefecture’s Kurashiki, Tamano and Kasaoka Cities, although they have been seen in Kyushu and Kansai.
I think all bugs can be cute, so I’m not the best judge. If you are not a bug fan, what do you think? Are Tiger Bee Flies cute or just as gross as all other bugs?
Source: Matome Naver, Insect Identification
Images: Mutamiya, Tsurezurenarumamani,
Tips on protecting yourself from the stinging inferno of Japan’s “burn bugs”
Attendees to Expo 2025 hit record numbers despite record numbers of bugs
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 creepiest Japanese insects 【Weird Top Five】
Hornets: The perfect pet for people living in Japan?
Japan gifts the world with First Essence Tagame Gin made from a giant water bug
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
KFC Japan opens a Christmas restaurant in Tokyo…but why???
A Japanese dating app matched our bachelorette with a Buddhist monk, and she learned some things
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Muscly Japanese men fill stock photo site with hilarious poses in unusual settings
How to get your money’s worth at an all-you-can-eat crepe challenge in Japan
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Japanese woman mistaken for bear
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
More Shinkansen trains being added to Japan’s “golden route” to meet traveler demand
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
As summer comes to an end, it’s time to get ready for a plague of mosquitoes in Japan
Leave a Reply