Tundra Blow Fly vs Japanese Soldier Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tundra Blow Fly | Japanese Soldier Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Protophormia terraenovae | Ptecticus tenebrifer |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Stratiomyidae |
| Size | 7-11 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Forests |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Scavengers |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia | East Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tundra Blow Fly
A metallic dark blue blow fly common across Arctic and subarctic regions. It is one of the first flies to become active in spring. Adults are attracted to carrion and can detect dead animals from great distances.
Did You Know?
This fly is so cold-tolerant that it is used in forensic entomology to determine time of death in cold climates where other blow flies cannot survive.
Japanese Soldier Fly
A slender soldier fly with a metallic greenish-black body and elongate antennae. It is commonly found near decaying organic matter in gardens and forests across East Asia.
Did You Know?
Like the black soldier fly, species of Ptecticus are being studied as potential bioconversion agents for organic waste.