Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura) vs Golden Tachinid Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura) Golden Tachinid Fly
Scientific Name Drosophila heteroneura Archytas marmoratus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Drosophilidae Tachinidae
Size 5-7 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Forests Farmland
Diet Wood Feeders Parasites
Regions Oceania (Hawaii - Big Island) North America, Central America
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura)

A remarkable Hawaiian picture-wing fly famous for its hammer-shaped head, found only on Hawaii Island. Males use their broad, flattened heads in head-butting contests for mating rights. It breeds in decaying Clermontia bark.

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Did You Know?

Males have uniquely hammer-shaped heads that they use as battering rams, headbutting rival males in combat over territory and mates.

Golden Tachinid Fly

A large bristly parasitic fly with golden-brown hairs found across the Americas. It parasitizes armyworm and cutworm caterpillars in crops.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most important natural enemies of fall armyworm in North American agriculture.