Louse Fly vs Three-Cornered Alfalfa Treehopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Louse Fly Three-Cornered Alfalfa Treehopper
Scientific Name Hippobosca equina Spissistilus festinus
Order Diptera Hemiptera
Family Hippoboscidae Membracidae
Size 7-8 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Blood Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Louse Fly

A flattened bloodsucking fly parasite of horses and cattle with powerful clawed legs for clinging to fur. Adults are incredibly tough and difficult to crush.

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Did You Know?

Its body is so tough and flattened that it can withstand being stepped on by its horse host without injury.

Three-Cornered Alfalfa Treehopper

A small green wedge-shaped treehopper that is a pest of soybeans and alfalfa. It girdles plant stems during egg-laying, causing significant crop damage.

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Did You Know?

Its stem-girdling egg-laying habit can cause soybean plants to snap at the base in strong winds.