Spalangia Fly Parasite vs Pine Hawk-moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spalangia Fly Parasite Pine Hawk-moth
Scientific Name Spalangia cameroni Sphinx pinastri
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pteromalidae Sphingidae
Size 1.5-2.5 mm 70-87 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Scavengers Omnivores
Regions Worldwide Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Spalangia Fly Parasite

A small dark wasp that parasitizes fly pupae in manure and decaying organic matter. It is commercially reared for biological control of filth flies on livestock farms.

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Did You Know?

Millions are commercially released on cattle and poultry farms each year to suppress nuisance house flies and stable flies.

Pine Hawk-moth

A sleek grey hawk-moth with dark streaks that provide perfect camouflage against pine bark. It is strongly associated with conifer plantations and native pinewoods.

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Did You Know?

When resting on a pine trunk, its streamlined body and bark-like colouring make it almost impossible to spot.