Field Digger Wasp vs Reindeer Warble Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Field Digger Wasp | Reindeer Warble Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mellinus arvensis | Hypoderma tarandi |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 10-14mm | 13-17 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Field Digger Wasp
A yellow and black wasp that nests in sandy soil and provisions each cell with paralyzed hoverflies.
Did You Know?
Digs a nest burrow in bare sandy soil and stocks each cell with 5-8 precisely paralyzed hoverflies.
Reindeer Warble Fly
A stout, furry fly that parasitizes reindeer and caribou. Females dart at reindeer to lay eggs on their legs. Larvae burrow through the skin and migrate through the body, creating warble lumps under the back skin.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of this fly causes reindeer to panic and stampede, and heavy infestations can reduce a reindeer's body weight by up to 25 percent.