Assassin Bug vs Myiasis-Causing Flesh Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Assassin Bug | Myiasis-Causing Flesh Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zelus renardii | Wohlfahrtia vigil |
| Order | Hemiptera | Diptera |
| Family | Reduviidae | Sarcophagidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Parasites |
| Regions | North America, South America | North America, especially northern United States and Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Assassin Bug
Ambush predators that impale prey with their curved beak and inject lethal saliva. Some species coat their legs with sticky plant resin to trap prey. Named for their hunting strategy.
Did You Know?
Some assassin bugs stack the corpses of their prey on their backs as camouflage and armor — creating a gruesome shield of dead ants and other insects.
Myiasis-Causing Flesh Fly
A large flesh fly found in North America that causes obligate dermal myiasis in small animals including rabbits, mink, and fox kits on fur farms. Females deposit active larvae on the unbroken skin of young animals, and larvae burrow into subcutaneous tissue. Human cases are rare but documented in infants.
Did You Know?
It preferentially attacks the young of furbearing animals, causing significant losses on mink and fox fur farms in North America.