Common Rustic vs Sweat Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Rustic | Sweat Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mesapamea secalis | Hydrotaea irritans |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Muscidae |
| Size | 26-34 mm wingspan | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Rustic
A highly variable common moth that forms a species complex with the Lesser Common Rustic. External appearance is unreliable for identification. Larvae feed inside grass stems.
Did You Know?
So similar to its sibling species that they were not recognized as separate species until 1983.
Sweat Fly
A small dark fly attracted to perspiration on humans and livestock. It forms dense head-circling swarms in summer that can be extremely annoying.
Did You Know?
Swarms of these flies can reduce cattle weight gain by causing constant head-tossing behavior.