Melon Fly vs Desert Locust
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Melon Fly | Desert Locust |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zeugodacus cucurbitae | Schistocerca gregaria |
| Order | Diptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Tephritidae | Acrididae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 45-60 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Hawaii | Africa, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Melon Fly
A reddish-yellow fruit fly that is a major pest of melons, cucumbers, and other cucurbits. It has spread from Asia to become invasive across tropical regions.
Did You Know?
Eradication of the melon fly from Okinawa was one of the most successful sterile insect programs in history.
Desert Locust
Forms enormous swarms of billions that devastate crops across Africa and Asia. A single swarm can cover 1,200 square km and eat as much food as 35,000 people daily.
Did You Know?
A large locust swarm can contain 80 million individuals per square kilometer and travel 150 km per day, consuming their own body weight in food daily.