Cylindrical Tachinid vs Tundra Blow Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cylindrical Tachinid | Tundra Blow Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cylindromyia brassicaria | Protophormia terraenovae |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 7-11 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Parasites | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cylindrical Tachinid
A slender, wasp-like parasitic fly with a narrow cylindrical abdomen. Parasitizes shieldbugs by laying eggs directly onto the host. Found in warm, flower-rich habitats.
Did You Know?
Its wasp-like appearance is a remarkable case of mimicry in a group of true flies.
Tundra Blow Fly
A metallic dark blue blow fly common across Arctic and subarctic regions. It is one of the first flies to become active in spring. Adults are attracted to carrion and can detect dead animals from great distances.
Did You Know?
This fly is so cold-tolerant that it is used in forensic entomology to determine time of death in cold climates where other blow flies cannot survive.