Frit Fly vs Secondary Screwworm Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Frit Fly | Secondary Screwworm Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oscinella frit | Cochliomyia macellaria |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chloropidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, temperate worldwide | North America, South America |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Despite being only 1.5mm long, it can destroy entire crops of oats by killing the growing shoot inside each stem.
Secondary Screwworm Fly
A blow fly that breeds in carrion and occasionally infests wounds in livestock. It is widely used in forensic studies in the Americas.
Did You Know?
Unlike the primary screwworm, it only feeds on dead tissue rather than living flesh.