Parasitic Bee Fly vs Common Stiletto Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Parasitic Bee Fly Common Stiletto Fly
Scientific Name Winthemia rufopicta Thereva nobilitata
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tachinidae Therevidae
Size 6-9 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Farmland Heathland
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions North America, Europe, Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Parasitic Bee Fly

A medium-sized tachinid fly that parasitizes armyworm caterpillars and other crop pest larvae. It is found across multiple continents.

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Did You Know?

Females deposit multiple larvae on a single caterpillar but only one typically survives to maturity.

Common Stiletto Fly

A slender, densely hairy fly with a pointed abdomen and silvery-white body hairs. Adults bask on sunlit leaves and bare ground, making short rapid flights when approached.

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Did You Know?

Stiletto fly larvae are important biological control agents, feeding on root-eating pest larvae in sandy soils.