Japanese Bee Fly: The Insect That Inspired a Pokémon

Pokémon gets much of its character design from real animals and plants in nature. With 1,025 unique Pokémon, plenty of design inspiration came straight from nature. One example is the Pokémon “Cutiefly,” which looks just like a Japanese bee fly. The insect’s adorable appearance makes it a great choice for a character in a kids’ game. This Instagram post by @general.knowledge.booster features a picture of the bee fly! Read here to learn more!

About the Japanese Bee Fly

The Japanese bee fly is not actually a bee at all; it is purely a fly. They are a part of the Bombyliidae family, which is made up of other bee flies. The insects in this family are often fuzzy and bee-like in appearance. This mimicry helps to intimidate predators by tricking them into thinking they have stingers when they don’t. The Japanese bee fly, as the name suggests, is native to Japan and other parts of East Asia. They span temperate and tropical regions, inhabiting woodlands, fields, and gardens with an abundance of flowers. If you’re on the lookout for them, check flower gardens in the spring and summer, as they eat the nectar available.

Inspiring a Pokémon

The Japanese bee fly looks a lot like the Pokémon Cutiefly. While exact inspiration is not confirmed by Nintendo, fans believe the cute character was designed after the fuzzy fly, based on their similar appearances. The Japanese bee fly’s pastel yellow body looks like a soft piece of fuzz floating through the air. They also have comically large eyes that make them look harmless and sweet. At its mouth is a long proboscis, the straw-like mouthpart that allows it to suck nectar from flowers. Both the Pokémon Cutiefly and the real-life bee fly are definitely “kawaii,” or cute in Japanese.