Myiasis-Causing Flesh Fly vs Metallic Ectatomma
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Myiasis-Causing Flesh Fly | Metallic Ectatomma |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Wohlfahrtia vigil | Ectatomma ruidum |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Sarcophagidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasites | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | North America, especially northern United States and Canada | Mexico, Central America, Northern South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Myiasis-Causing Flesh Fly
A large flesh fly found in North America that causes obligate dermal myiasis in small animals including rabbits, mink, and fox kits on fur farms. Females deposit active larvae on the unbroken skin of young animals, and larvae burrow into subcutaneous tissue. Human cases are rare but documented in infants.
Did You Know?
It preferentially attacks the young of furbearing animals, causing significant losses on mink and fox fur farms in North America.
Metallic Ectatomma
A medium-sized ant with a metallic sheen common in neotropical lowland habitats. It forages individually on the ground and nests in small colonies in the soil.
Did You Know?
Some workers specialize as thieves, stealing food from nestmates of other Ectatomma ruidum colonies rather than foraging.