Parasitic Bee Fly vs Southern Long-legged Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Parasitic Bee Fly Southern Long-legged Fly
Scientific Name Winthemia rufopicta Chrysotus gramineus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tachinidae Dolichopodidae
Size 6-9 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Farmland Ponds & Lakes
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions North America, Europe, Asia Europe, Asia, North America
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.

Southern Long-legged Fly

A tiny, brilliantly metallic green long-legged fly commonly found on vegetation near water. It runs rapidly across leaf surfaces hunting for small prey.

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Did You Know?

Despite their tiny size, dolichopodid flies are among the most species-rich predatory fly families globally.