Lesser Cattle Grub vs Russian Wheat Aphid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lesser Cattle Grub Russian Wheat Aphid
Scientific Name Hypoderma lineatum Diuraphis noxia
Order Diptera Hemiptera
Family Oestridae Aphididae
Size 11-13 mm 1.5-2 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Parasites Sap Feeders
Regions North America, Europe, Asia Worldwide cereal-growing regions
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Lesser Cattle Grub

A hairy, bee-like fly slightly smaller than H. bovis, whose larvae also parasitize cattle. Unlike H. bovis, its larvae migrate through the esophageal wall rather than the spinal canal. It causes significant hide damage and meat trim losses in the cattle industry.

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Did You Know?

Warble damage to cattle hides makes them unsuitable for premium leather, costing the cattle industry millions in hide value annually.

Russian Wheat Aphid

A pale elongated aphid that causes leaf rolling and white streaking on wheat and barley. It injects toxins while feeding that are uniquely damaging to cereal crops.

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Did You Know?

It caused over $1 billion in damage to U.S. wheat crops within just a few years of its arrival in 1986.