Fever Fly vs Caterpillar Tachinid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Fever Fly | Caterpillar Tachinid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dilophus febrilis | Lydella thompsoni |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Bibionidae | Tachinidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Fever Fly
A small, shiny black march fly with spiny front tibiae used for digging. It was once believed to cause fevers in humans, hence its common name, though it is completely harmless.
Did You Know?
Its spiny front legs are used by females to dig into soil for egg-laying, an unusual adaptation among flies.
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.