Caterpillar Tachinid vs European Cherry Fruit Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Caterpillar Tachinid | European Cherry Fruit Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lydella thompsoni | Rhagoletis cerasi |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Tephritidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 4-5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Orchards |
| Diet | Parasites | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Caterpillar Tachinid
A small gray parasitic fly that attacks European corn borer larvae. It was introduced to North America as a biological control agent.
Did You Know?
Females deposit live larvae rather than eggs directly onto the host caterpillar.
European Cherry Fruit Fly
A small black fly with distinctive wing banding that infests sweet and sour cherries. Larvae feed inside cherries, causing them to rot and drop.
Did You Know?
It is a textbook example of sympatric speciation, with host races on sweet and sour cherries.