Red Pumpkin Beetle vs Sheep Ked
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Red Pumpkin Beetle | Sheep Ked |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aulacophora foveicollis | Melophagus ovinus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Hippoboscidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 4-7 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia | Cosmopolitan - worldwide where sheep are raised |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Red Pumpkin Beetle
A uniformly bright orange-red beetle with fine punctures on the pronotum and smooth elytra. It is a highly destructive pest of cucurbits throughout tropical and subtropical Asia and Africa.
Did You Know?
In India, this beetle is one of the top three most damaging pests of cucurbit vegetables, attacking over 80 species of cucurbits.
Sheep Ked
A completely wingless, tick-like blood-sucking fly that lives permanently in sheep wool. Its flattened body and strong claws allow it to cling firmly to wool fibers.
Did You Know?
Despite being called a ked or tick, it is actually a true fly that has completely lost its wings through evolution.