Oriental Fruit Fly vs River Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Oriental Fruit Fly River Midge
Scientific Name Bactrocera dorsalis Rheotanytarsus exiguus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tephritidae Chironomidae
Size 6-8 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Farmland Rivers & Streams
Diet Fruit Feeders Omnivores
Regions Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Oriental Fruit Fly

A highly polyphagous tropical fruit fly attacking over 400 host plant species. It is one of the most economically damaging invasive insects worldwide.

💡

Did You Know?

It attacks more host plant species than any other fruit fly, with over 400 recorded hosts.

River Midge

A small filter-feeding midge that builds silken nets on submerged stones in flowing water. Larvae are among the most abundant invertebrates in clean streams.

💡

Did You Know?

Larvae build tiny fan-shaped silk nets that function like miniature versions of caddisfly catch-nets.