Pearly-banded Bee vs Melon Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pearly-banded Bee | Melon Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nomia melanderi | Zeugodacus cucurbitae |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Halictidae | Tephritidae |
| Size | 8-10 mm | 6-8 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Hawaii |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pearly-banded Bee
A ground-nesting bee with pearly white abdominal bands vital for alfalfa pollination. Large nesting aggregations in alkaline soils can contain millions of individuals.
Did You Know?
Farmers in the Pacific Northwest actively manage nesting sites to boost alfalfa seed yields.
Melon Fly
A reddish-yellow fruit fly that is a major pest of melons, cucumbers, and other cucurbits. It has spread from Asia to become invasive across tropical regions.
Did You Know?
Eradication of the melon fly from Okinawa was one of the most successful sterile insect programs in history.