Petroleum Fly vs Tundra Blow Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Petroleum Fly | Tundra Blow Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Helaeomyia petrolei | Protophormia terraenovae |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ephydridae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 5 mm | 7-11 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Omnivores | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Petroleum Fly
The only insect whose larvae develop in crude petroleum. Found in natural oil seeps in California, including the La Brea Tar Pits. Larvae eat insects trapped in the oil.
Did You Know?
This is the only animal on Earth that develops in crude oil — a substance toxic to virtually all other life. Its larvae swim through petroleum and breathe through snorkel-like tubes.
Tundra Blow Fly
A metallic dark blue blow fly common across Arctic and subarctic regions. It is one of the first flies to become active in spring. Adults are attracted to carrion and can detect dead animals from great distances.
Did You Know?
This fly is so cold-tolerant that it is used in forensic entomology to determine time of death in cold climates where other blow flies cannot survive.