Pennsylvania Ground Beetle vs Spalangia Fly Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pennsylvania Ground Beetle Spalangia Fly Parasite
Scientific Name Harpalus pensylvanicus Spalangia cameroni
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Carabidae Pteromalidae
Size 13-17 mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Omnivores Scavengers
Regions North America Worldwide
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Pennsylvania Ground Beetle

One of the most common ground beetles in North American croplands. It is an omnivorous species that feeds on both seeds and small insects.

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Did You Know?

Studies show it can consume enough weed seeds to significantly reduce weed emergence in crop fields.

Spalangia Fly Parasite

A small dark wasp that parasitizes fly pupae in manure and decaying organic matter. It is commercially reared for biological control of filth flies on livestock farms.

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Did You Know?

Millions are commercially released on cattle and poultry farms each year to suppress nuisance house flies and stable flies.