Sheep Ked vs Apple Maggot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sheep Ked | Apple Maggot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melophagus ovinus | Rhagoletis pomonella |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Hippoboscidae | Tephritidae |
| Size | 4-7 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Orchards |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan - worldwide where sheep are raised | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Apple Maggot Fly
A fruit fly pest whose larvae tunnel through apple flesh causing brown trails. It is a textbook example of sympatric speciation by host plant shifting.
Did You Know?
It shifted from native hawthorn to introduced apple trees in under 200 years, creating genetically distinct races.