Caterpillar Tachinid vs Villa Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Caterpillar Tachinid | Villa Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lydella thompsoni | Villa hottentotta |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 10-16 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Europe, Central 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.
Villa Bee Fly
A striking bee fly with dark-tipped wings and a stout, densely hairy body. Its larvae are parasitoids of moth caterpillars and pupae in the soil.
Did You Know?
Despite its fearsome appearance with dark smoky wings, it is a harmless nectar feeder that cannot bite or sting.