Frit Fly vs Brown Willow Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Frit Fly | Brown Willow Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oscinella frit | Galerucella lineola |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chloropidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate worldwide | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Frit Fly
A tiny fly that is a major pest of oat crops and ryegrass. Larvae bore into plant stems causing 'dead heart'. Named from the Swedish word for grain. Multiple generations per year.
Did You Know?
Despite being only 1.5mm long, it can destroy entire crops of oats by killing the growing shoot inside each stem.
Brown Willow Beetle
A small brown beetle that feeds on willow leaves and can cause significant defoliation. Has been used as a biological control agent for purple loosestrife in North America.
Did You Know?
A close relative was deliberately introduced to North America as biological control for invasive purple loosestrife.