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
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Japanese convenience store sunglasses just became our newest Convenience Wear obsession
Tokyo giving out free furoshiki from Pikachu’s designer to help tourists carry their garbage home
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Dog-friendly Wanwan Liner bus to begin operations between Tokyo and Osaka this fall
A practical guide to freezing your boss’ hat in a block of ice [Photos]
Kyoto shop turns traditional Japanese kimono into teddy bears, with special meaning hidden in their patterns
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
As summer comes to an end, it’s time to get ready for a plague of mosquitoes in Japan