Broad-Horned Onitis vs Frit Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Broad-Horned Onitis | Frit Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onitis caffer | Oscinella frit |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Chloropidae |
| Size | 16-26 mm | 1.5-2 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southern Africa | Europe, temperate worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Broad-Horned Onitis
A large, dark brown to black tunneler with massive forelegs in males. The prothorax is greatly enlarged. It digs deep vertical shafts beneath cattle dung and is primarily nocturnal. Males use their forelegs in combat.
Did You Know?
The enormous forelegs of the male serve double duty, used both for digging and for grappling with rival males.
Frit Fly
A tiny fly that is a major pest of oat crops and ryegrass. Larvae bore into plant stems causing 'dead heart'. Named from the Swedish word for grain. Multiple generations per year.
Did You Know?
Despite being only 1.5mm long, it can destroy entire crops of oats by killing the growing shoot inside each stem.