Parasitic Bee Fly vs Sweat Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Parasitic Bee Fly Sweat Fly
Scientific Name Winthemia rufopicta Hydrotaea irritans
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tachinidae Muscidae
Size 6-9 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions North America, Europe, Asia Europe, 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.

Sweat Fly

A small dark fly attracted to perspiration on humans and livestock. It forms dense head-circling swarms in summer that can be extremely annoying.

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Did You Know?

Swarms of these flies can reduce cattle weight gain by causing constant head-tossing behavior.