Giant Tachinid Fly vs Box Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Tachinid Fly Box Bug
Scientific Name Tachina grossa Gonocerus acuteangulatus
Order Diptera Hemiptera
Family Tachinidae Coreidae
Size 12-18 mm 11-14 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Nectar Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Tachinid Fly

The largest tachinid fly in Europe, covered in dense black bristles. It parasitizes large moth caterpillars and is often seen on flowers in late summer.

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Did You Know?

Despite its intimidating bee-like appearance, it is completely harmless to humans.

Box Bug

A slender, reddish-brown coreid bug historically restricted to box trees in southern England but now expanding its range northward. It feeds on developing fruits and seeds of box and hawthorn.

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Did You Know?

Once Britain's rarest shieldbug confined to a single box woodland, it has expanded dramatically northward since 2000 due to warming temperatures.