Bush Fly vs Golden Dung Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bush Fly Golden Dung Fly
Scientific Name Musca vetustissima Scathophaga stercoraria
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Muscidae Scathophagidae
Size 5-7 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Predators
Regions Australia Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bush Fly

Australia's most iconic nuisance fly, swarming around faces to feed on moisture. It breeds in cattle dung across the Australian outback.

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Did You Know?

The classic 'Aussie salute' — waving a hand in front of the face — exists because of this fly.

Golden Dung Fly

A common furry yellow fly that gathers on fresh cow dung to mate and hunt.

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Did You Know?

Males are fiercely competitive and wrestle each other for access to females on dung pats.