Mediterranean Fruit Fly vs Great Spangled Fritillary

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mediterranean Fruit Fly Great Spangled Fritillary
Scientific Name Ceratitis capitata Speyeria cybele
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Tephritidae Nymphalidae
Size 4-6 mm 62-88 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Fruit Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Africa, Mediterranean, Americas, Australasia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mediterranean Fruit Fly

A small colorful fruit fly with patterned wings and a yellowish body. It is one of the world's most destructive agricultural pests, attacking over 300 fruit species.

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Did You Know?

Billions of sterile males are released annually worldwide to suppress wild populations.

Great Spangled Fritillary

Large orange butterfly with heavy black markings and silver spots on the hindwing underside. Common across much of North America.

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Did You Know?

Newly hatched caterpillars do not eat until the following spring after overwintering.