Aquatic Snail-killing Fly vs Melon Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Aquatic Snail-killing Fly Melon Fly
Scientific Name Sepedon sphegea Zeugodacus cucurbitae
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Sciomyzidae Tephritidae
Size 5-9 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Wetlands Farmland
Diet Predators Fruit Feeders
Regions North America Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Hawaii
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Aquatic Snail-killing Fly

A slender marsh fly with a distinctly pointed abdomen and yellowish-brown coloring. Larvae are aquatic predators of freshwater snails, attacking them underwater.

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Did You Know?

A single larva may consume multiple snails during its development, making it an effective natural snail control agent.

Melon Fly

A reddish-yellow fruit fly that is a major pest of melons, cucumbers, and other cucurbits. It has spread from Asia to become invasive across tropical regions.

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Did You Know?

Eradication of the melon fly from Okinawa was one of the most successful sterile insect programs in history.