Warble Fly vs Common Yellowjacket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Warble Fly | Common Yellowjacket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hypoderma bovis | Vespula vulgaris |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Oestridae | Vespidae |
| Size | 13-15 mm | 12-17 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Gardens |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Europe, North America, Australasia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Warble Fly
A large, hairy bee-like fly whose larvae migrate through the bodies of cattle for months before emerging from cysts in the back. Adults have vestigial mouthparts and cannot feed.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of a single warble fly approaching can cause an entire herd of cattle to stampede in panic, a behavior called gadding.
Common Yellowjacket
An aggressive social wasp with bold black and yellow markings that builds large underground paper nests. Workers are voracious predators of garden pest insects including caterpillars and flies.
Did You Know?
A single colony can consume an estimated 2 kg of insects over a summer, providing significant pest control.