Apple Maggot Fly vs Spotted Flower Chafer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Apple Maggot Fly | Spotted Flower Chafer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhagoletis pomonella | Protaetia morio |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Tephritidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 15-22mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Heathland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Europe, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Apple Maggot Fly
A fruit fly pest whose larvae tunnel through apple flesh causing brown trails. It is a textbook example of sympatric speciation by host plant shifting.
Did You Know?
It shifted from native hawthorn to introduced apple trees in under 200 years, creating genetically distinct races.
Spotted Flower Chafer
A matt black scarab beetle with scattered white spots on its elytra. It feeds on flowers and ripe fruit in Mediterranean regions.
Did You Know?
Unlike most flower chafers this species has a dark non-metallic coloration which is unusual for the group.