Bristly Tachinid vs Seven-Spot Ladybird

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bristly Tachinid Seven-Spot Ladybird
Scientific Name Epalpus signifer Coccinella septempunctata
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Tachinidae Coccinellidae
Size 6-10 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Parasites Predators
Regions North America Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Seven-Spot Ladybird

The most common ladybird in Europe. Its bright red coloring with seven black spots warns predators of its bitter taste. A voracious predator of aphids.

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Did You Know?

A single seven-spot ladybird can eat over 5,000 aphids in its lifetime, making it one of the most effective biological pest controllers.