Tundra Blow Fly vs Tundra Leaf Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tundra Blow Fly | Tundra Leaf Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Protophormia terraenovae | Chrysomela lapponica |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 7-11 mm | 6-9 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, subarctic Canada |
| 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.
Tundra Leaf Beetle
A rounded, metallic reddish-brown leaf beetle with variable dark markings. Adults and larvae feed on willows in subarctic and mountain regions. Both stages produce chemical defenses derived from salicylates in willow leaves.
Did You Know?
Larvae secrete droplets of salicylaldehyde derived from willow on their backs, creating a chemical shield that repels predators.