Snail-killing Fly vs Spotted Wing Drosophila
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Snail-killing Fly | Spotted Wing Drosophila |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tetanocera elata | Drosophila suzukii |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Sciomyzidae | Drosophilidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Asia, worldwide (invasive) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Snail-killing Fly
A wetland fly whose larvae are specialized predators or parasitoids of land snails. It has been investigated as a biocontrol agent for pest snails.
Did You Know?
Larvae enter the snail's shell and consume it alive over several days.
Spotted Wing Drosophila
An invasive fruit fly from East Asia with a saw-like ovipositor that lets it lay eggs in ripening (not rotten) fruit — devastating soft fruit crops worldwide since its spread in 2008.
Did You Know?
Unlike most fruit flies that only attack rotting fruit, this species cuts into perfectly ripe fruit with its serrated ovipositor — causing billions in crop damage globally.