Fruit Fly vs Western Corsair

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Fruit Fly Western Corsair
Scientific Name Drosophila melanogaster Rasahus thoracicus
Order Diptera Hemiptera
Family Drosophilidae Reduviidae
Size 2-4 mm 18-23 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Fruit Feeders Predators
Regions Worldwide Western North America, Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Fruit Fly

The most studied organism in genetics. Six Nobel Prizes have been awarded for research on this tiny fly. 75% of human disease genes have recognizable matches in its genome.

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Did You Know?

The fruit fly shares 60% of its DNA with humans and 75% of human disease genes have a match in the fruit fly genome — making it invaluable for medical research.

Western Corsair

A large, dark brown assassin bug found in western North America that occasionally enters homes and can deliver an intensely painful bite. It is nocturnal and attracted to lights. It preys on a variety of insects around buildings.

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Did You Know?

Its bite is so painful that it is sometimes mistaken for a scorpion sting, and the pain can persist for hours, earning it frequent complaints to pest control services.