Pink Bollworm vs Oriental Fruit Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pink Bollworm Oriental Fruit Fly
Scientific Name Pectinophora gossypiella Bactrocera dorsalis
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Gelechiidae Tephritidae
Size 15-20 mm wingspan 6-8 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Seed Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Asia, Africa, Americas, Oceania Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Pink Bollworm

A small dark moth whose pink-tinged larvae bore into cotton bolls and damage the fibers and seeds. It has been one of the most economically important cotton pests globally.

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Did You Know?

A massive sterile insect technique program successfully eradicated it from the southwestern United States by 2018.

Oriental Fruit Fly

A highly polyphagous tropical fruit fly attacking over 400 host plant species. It is one of the most economically damaging invasive insects worldwide.

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Did You Know?

It attacks more host plant species than any other fruit fly, with over 400 recorded hosts.