Reindeer Warble Fly vs Orizaba Silk Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Reindeer Warble Fly | Orizaba Silk Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hypoderma tarandi | Rothschildia orizaba |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Oestridae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 13-17 mm | 110-145 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska | Mexico, Central America, southwestern United States |
| 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.
Orizaba Silk Moth
A magnificent New World silk moth with large reddish-brown wings bearing conspicuous triangular clear windows. It was historically reared for its silk in parts of Mexico.
Did You Know?
Indigenous peoples of Mexico once used the silk from Rothschildia orizaba cocoons to weave a coarse fabric, making it one of the few New World silk moths commercially utilized.