Bumblebee-mimicking Tachinid vs Ochraceum Black Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bumblebee-mimicking Tachinid | Ochraceum Black Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Jurinia frontalis | Simulium ochraceum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm | 1.5-3 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Mountains |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Mexico, Guatemala, southern Mexico, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bumblebee-mimicking Tachinid
A large, furry tachinid fly that closely mimics a bumblebee with its dense covering of orange and black hairs. It is one of the hairiest of all tachinid flies.
Did You Know?
Unlike most tachinids that parasitize caterpillars, this species targets wood-boring beetle larvae.
Ochraceum Black Fly
A small orangish-brown black fly that is the principal vector of onchocerciasis in Central America and southern Mexico. It breeds in small, fast-running mountain streams. Biting activity peaks in the early morning and late afternoon in coffee-growing regions.
Did You Know?
The Americas are close to eliminating onchocerciasis thanks to mass ivermectin distribution targeting this vector's parasite.