Emerald Ash Borer vs Hairy Maggot Blow Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Emerald Ash Borer Hairy Maggot Blow Fly
Scientific Name Agrilus planipennis Chrysomya rufifacies
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Buprestidae Calliphoridae
Size 8-14 mm 9-12 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Sap Feeders Predators
Regions Asia, North America (invasive) Australia, Asia, Americas
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Emerald Ash Borer

One of the most destructive invasive insects in North America. Native to Asia, it has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees since its detection in Michigan in 2002.

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Did You Know?

The emerald ash borer has killed over 100 million ash trees in North America — the economic damage exceeds $10 billion and threatens to eliminate an entire tree genus.

Hairy Maggot Blow Fly

A blow fly whose larvae have distinctive fleshy projections giving them a hairy appearance. Its predatory larvae feed on other maggot species on carrion.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae are facultatively predatory and will cannibalize other maggot species sharing the same carcass.