Stable Fly vs Western Damsel Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Stable Fly | Western Damsel Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stomoxys calcitrans | Nabis alternatus |
| Order | Diptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Muscidae | Nabidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Worldwide | Western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Stable Fly
A blood-feeding fly that closely resembles the house fly but has a prominent piercing proboscis. It is a painful biter of livestock and humans.
Did You Know?
Unlike house flies, both males and females are blood feeders and deliver a painful bite.
Western Damsel Bug
A tan to light brown predatory bug common in agricultural fields across western North America. It has elongate forelegs adapted for capturing prey. It is valued as a natural biological control agent in alfalfa and other crops.
Did You Know?
It is one of the most abundant generalist predators in western alfalfa fields and can significantly reduce lygus bug populations without any pesticide intervention.