Australian March Fly vs Short-horned Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian March Fly Short-horned Grasshopper
Scientific Name Bibio imitator Phymateus morbillosus
Order Diptera Orthoptera
Family Bibionidae Pyrgomorphidae
Size 6-10 mm 50-70 mm
Habitat Woodlands Heathland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Australia Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian March Fly

A robust black bibionid fly that appears in large numbers during the Australian autumn. It has a hairy body and is a sluggish flyer, often seen resting on vegetation.

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Did You Know?

Despite sharing the common name with horse flies in Australia, march flies in the family Bibionidae are completely harmless.

Short-horned Grasshopper

A toxic foam grasshopper that sequesters milkweed poisons and displays bright warning colors.

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Did You Know?

When attacked it exudes toxic foam from its thoracic glands.