Soybean Aphid vs Green Bottle Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Soybean Aphid Green Bottle Fly
Scientific Name Aphis glycines Lucilia sericata
Order Hemiptera Diptera
Family Aphididae Calliphoridae
Size 1-1.5 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Sap Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions North America, East Asia Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, Oceania
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Soybean Aphid

A small pale yellow aphid that invaded North America in 2000 and became the most important soybean pest on the continent. Dense colonies stunt plants and reduce pod fill.

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Did You Know?

Populations can double every two to three days under favorable conditions, reaching tens of thousands per plant.

Green Bottle Fly

A brilliant metallic green fly with large red compound eyes. Medically, its sterile larvae are used in maggot debridement therapy to clean necrotic wounds.

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Did You Know?

Medical-grade maggots of this species are approved by the FDA for wound treatment, as they eat only dead tissue and secrete natural antibiotics.