Soldier Fly vs Jack Pine Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Soldier Fly Jack Pine Sawfly
Scientific Name Odontomyia tigrina Neodiprion pratti banksianae
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Stratiomyidae Diprionidae
Size 8-12 mm 6-8 mm (adult)
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Pollen Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Soldier Fly

A brightly colored soldier fly with aquatic larvae that filter-feed in ponds.

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Did You Know?

Larvae float at the surface and breathe through a rosette of hydrophobic tail hairs.

Jack Pine Sawfly

A serious defoliator of jack pine in the Great Lakes region. Periodic outbreaks can strip thousands of hectares of jack pine.

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Did You Know?

Outbreaks are often triggered by several consecutive years of warm, dry spring weather.