European Cherry Fruit Fly vs St Mark's Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Cherry Fruit Fly St Mark's Fly
Scientific Name Rhagoletis cerasi Bibio johannis
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tephritidae Bibionidae
Size 4-5 mm 6-10mm
Habitat Orchards Underground
Diet Omnivores Root Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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Did You Know?

It is a textbook example of sympatric speciation, with host races on sweet and sour cherries.

St Mark's Fly

A small black fly that swarms in May. Males have large heads with huge eyes that almost meet on top.

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Did You Know?

Often confused with the larger Bibio marci but emerges slightly later and has entirely dark legs.