Bush Fly vs Long-winged Fungus Gnat

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bush Fly Long-winged Fungus Gnat
Scientific Name Musca vetustissima Macrocera stigma
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Muscidae Mycetophilidae
Size 5-7 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Farmland Woodlands
Diet Dung Feeders Predators
Regions Australia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bush Fly

Australia's most iconic nuisance fly, swarming around faces to feed on moisture. It breeds in cattle dung across the Australian outback.

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Did You Know?

The classic 'Aussie salute' — waving a hand in front of the face — exists because of this fly.

Long-winged Fungus Gnat

A delicate fungus gnat with unusually long antennae and slender patterned wings. It is often found in shaded damp woodland where it hunts small insects.

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Did You Know?

Some Macrocera species have bioluminescent larvae, though less spectacularly than the cave glowworms.