Spotted Wing Drosophila vs Face Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spotted Wing Drosophila | Face Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Drosophila suzukii | Musca autumnalis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Drosophilidae | Muscidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 7-8 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Asia, worldwide (invasive) | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Face Fly
A non-biting muscid fly that feeds on secretions around the eyes and nose of cattle. It is a mechanical vector of the cattle pinkeye pathogen Moraxella bovis.
Did You Know?
It enters homes in large numbers each autumn to overwinter, hence the name autumnalis.