Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Silvestris) vs Gypsy Moth Tachinid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Silvestris) | Gypsy Moth Tachinid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Drosophila silvestris | Compsilura concinnata |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Drosophilidae | Tachinidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Oceania (Hawaii - Big Island) | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Silvestris)
A Hawaiian picture-wing fly closely related to D. heteroneura but with a normally shaped head. It is found in wet forests on Hawaii Island. This species and D. heteroneura are a classic study system for understanding speciation in progress.
Did You Know?
D. silvestris and D. heteroneura can hybridize in the lab, providing key insights into how new species form through sexual selection.
Gypsy Moth Tachinid
A parasitic fly introduced to North America from Europe to control gypsy moths. It has an extremely broad host range attacking over 200 insect species.
Did You Know?
Its introduction to North America is now considered a mistake because it devastated native silk moth populations.