Bush Fly vs Old World Bollworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bush Fly Old World Bollworm
Scientific Name Musca vetustissima Helicoverpa armigera
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Muscidae Noctuidae
Size 5-7 mm 35-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Australia Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, South America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Bush Fly

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

💡

Did You Know?

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

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.

💡

Did You Know?

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