Frit Fly vs Azalea Lace Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Frit Fly Azalea Lace Bug
Scientific Name Oscinella frit Stephanitis pyrioides
Order Diptera Hemiptera
Family Chloropidae Tingidae
Size 1.5-2 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, temperate worldwide East Asia, North America, Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Frit Fly

A tiny fly that is a major pest of oat crops and ryegrass. Larvae bore into plant stems causing 'dead heart'. Named from the Swedish word for grain. Multiple generations per year.

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Did You Know?

Despite being only 1.5mm long, it can destroy entire crops of oats by killing the growing shoot inside each stem.

Azalea Lace Bug

A tiny lace bug with beautifully ornate, net-veined wings that is a major pest of azaleas and rhododendrons. Native to East Asia, it has become established in North America and Europe. Feeding causes white stippling on leaves.

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Did You Know?

Females insert their eggs into leaf tissue and cover them with a dark varnish-like substance, making them nearly invisible to predators.