Fever Fly vs Spotted Stem Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Fever Fly | Spotted Stem Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dilophus febrilis | Chilo partellus |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Bibionidae | Crambidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 20-28 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Spotted Stem Borer
A straw-colored moth whose larvae bore into stems of maize and sorghum in Africa and Asia. It can cause total crop failure in heavily infested fields.
Did You Know?
The push-pull pest management system, using Desmodium and Napier grass, was developed primarily to combat this borer.