Melon Fly vs Spotted Wing Drosophila
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Melon Fly | Spotted Wing Drosophila |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zeugodacus cucurbitae | Drosophila suzukii |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tephritidae | Drosophilidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Hawaii | Asia, worldwide (invasive) |
| 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.
Spotted Wing Drosophila
An invasive fruit fly from East Asia with a saw-like ovipositor that lets it lay eggs in ripening (not rotten) fruit — devastating soft fruit crops worldwide since its spread in 2008.
Did You Know?
Unlike most fruit flies that only attack rotting fruit, this species cuts into perfectly ripe fruit with its serrated ovipositor — causing billions in crop damage globally.