Melon Fly vs Goatweed Leafwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Melon Fly | Goatweed Leafwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zeugodacus cucurbitae | Anaea andria |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Tephritidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 55-75 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Hawaii | Central and Eastern United States, northern Mexico |
| 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.
Goatweed Leafwing
A bright orange butterfly whose angular wing shape and mottled brown underside create a perfect dead-leaf disguise when at rest. It almost never visits flowers.
Did You Know?
It overwinters as an adult, hiding among dead leaves where its camouflage makes it virtually invisible.