Frit Fly vs Yellow Swarming Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Frit Fly | Yellow Swarming Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oscinella frit | Thaumatomyia notata |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chloropidae | Chloropidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 2-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Predators |
| 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.
Yellow Swarming Fly
A tiny yellow fly famous for forming enormous hibernation aggregations in buildings, sometimes numbering millions. Larvae are predatory on root aphids in grassland.
Did You Know?
Can form hibernation clusters of millions in attic spaces, with individual aggregations weighing several kilograms.