Reindeer Warble Fly vs Cylindrical Tachinid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Reindeer Warble Fly | Cylindrical Tachinid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hypoderma tarandi | Cylindromyia brassicaria |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Oestridae | Tachinidae |
| Size | 13-17 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Parasites |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Reindeer Warble Fly
A stout, furry fly that parasitizes reindeer and caribou. Females dart at reindeer to lay eggs on their legs. Larvae burrow through the skin and migrate through the body, creating warble lumps under the back skin.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of this fly causes reindeer to panic and stampede, and heavy infestations can reduce a reindeer's body weight by up to 25 percent.
Cylindrical Tachinid
A slender, wasp-like parasitic fly with a narrow cylindrical abdomen. Parasitizes shieldbugs by laying eggs directly onto the host. Found in warm, flower-rich habitats.
Did You Know?
Its wasp-like appearance is a remarkable case of mimicry in a group of true flies.