Bristly Tachinid vs Old World Bollworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bristly Tachinid Old World Bollworm
Scientific Name Epalpus signifer Helicoverpa armigera
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Tachinidae Noctuidae
Size 6-10 mm 35-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Parasites Fruit Feeders
Regions North America Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Bristly Tachinid

A bristly gray parasitic fly found across North America. It parasitizes a wide range of caterpillars including armyworms and cutworms.

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Did You Know?

Females scatter tiny eggs on foliage, which are then accidentally swallowed by feeding caterpillars.

Old World Bollworm

One of the most destructive agricultural pests globally, attacking over 200 crop species. Larvae bore into cotton bolls, tomato fruits, and legume pods.

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Did You Know?

It has developed resistance to nearly every class of insecticide used against it, making it one of agriculture's toughest pests.