Globular Tachinid vs Field Digger Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Globular Tachinid Field Digger Wasp
Scientific Name Gymnosoma rotundatum Mellinus arvensis
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Tachinidae Crabronidae
Size 6-8 mm 10-14mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Parasites Predators
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Globular Tachinid

A distinctive round-bodied parasitic fly colored bright orange-red with black markings. Parasitizes shieldbugs. One of the most easily recognized tachinid flies.

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Did You Know?

The unusually round, bright orange body makes this one of the most recognizable parasitic flies.

Field Digger Wasp

A yellow and black wasp that nests in sandy soil and provisions each cell with paralyzed hoverflies.

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Did You Know?

Digs a nest burrow in bare sandy soil and stocks each cell with 5-8 precisely paralyzed hoverflies.