Old World Screwworm vs Tiger Bee Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Old World Screwworm Tiger Bee Fly
Scientific Name Chrysomya bezziana Xenox tigrinus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Calliphoridae Bombyliidae
Size 8-11 mm 12-18 mm
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Parasites Parasitoids
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Old World Screwworm

An obligate wound parasite of mammals found across Africa and Asia. Larvae invade wounds and feed on living tissue causing severe myiasis.

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Did You Know?

Unlike the New World screwworm, no sterile insect program has yet successfully eradicated this species.

Tiger Bee Fly

A large, dramatic bee fly with boldly patterned black and white spotted wings. It is commonly seen flying around wooden structures where its host carpenter bees nest.

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Did You Know?

Females hover at carpenter bee nest entrances and flick eggs inside while the bee is away foraging.