Pear Fruit Sawfly vs Spanish Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pear Fruit Sawfly | Spanish Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hoplocampa brevis | Lytta vesicatoria |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Tenthredinidae | Meloidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 10-22mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Orchards |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pear Fruit Sawfly
A small, dark sawfly that is a pest of pear orchards. Larvae bore into developing pear fruitlets, causing premature fruit drop.
Did You Know?
Infested young pears often show a distinctive entry hole with wet frass, and a single larva may damage two to three fruits before completing development.
Spanish Fly
A slender, metallic green blister beetle with soft elytra. It produces cantharidin, a potent blistering agent, as a chemical defense.
Did You Know?
Cantharidin from this beetle has been used in medicine for centuries but it is extremely toxic and can be lethal if ingested.