Ragwort Flea Beetle vs Sweat Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ragwort Flea Beetle | Sweat Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Longitarsus jacobaeae | Hydrotaea irritans |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Muscidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ragwort Flea Beetle
A small black flea beetle that feeds on ragwort plants. Successfully used as a biological control agent for invasive ragwort in Australia and New Zealand. Larvae mine in roots.
Did You Know?
One of the most successful biological control agents ever used, dramatically reducing ragwort in multiple countries.
Sweat Fly
A small dark fly attracted to perspiration on humans and livestock. It forms dense head-circling swarms in summer that can be extremely annoying.
Did You Know?
Swarms of these flies can reduce cattle weight gain by causing constant head-tossing behavior.