Walnut Husk Fly vs Greater Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Walnut Husk Fly | Greater Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhagoletis completa | Bombylius canescens |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tephritidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America, Southern Europe | Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Walnut Husk Fly
A fruit fly whose larvae feed inside walnut husks, staining and damaging the nuts. It has become an invasive pest in European walnut-growing regions.
Did You Know?
Larval feeding stains walnut shells black, making them unmarketable even though the nut inside may be fine.
Greater Bee Fly
A pale greyish bee fly with a long proboscis and clear wings. It parasitizes ground-nesting bees in arid Mediterranean habitats.
Did You Know?
It can hover motionless in the air for extended periods while probing flowers with its rigid proboscis.