White-banded Hoverfly vs Apple Maggot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | White-banded Hoverfly | Apple Maggot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Leucozona lucorum | Rhagoletis pomonella |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Tephritidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Orchards |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
White-banded Hoverfly
A dark hoverfly with a broad white band across the abdomen. It is associated with shaded habitats and visits white umbelliferous flowers.
Did You Know?
Its larvae are predators of aphids found on low-growing vegetation in shaded woodland.
Apple Maggot Fly
A fruit fly pest whose larvae tunnel through apple flesh causing brown trails. It is a textbook example of sympatric speciation by host plant shifting.
Did You Know?
It shifted from native hawthorn to introduced apple trees in under 200 years, creating genetically distinct races.