Common Thick-headed Fly vs Rosette Gall Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Thick-headed Fly | Rosette Gall Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sicus ferrugineus | Dasineura urticae |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Conopidae | Cecidomyiidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Thick-headed Fly
A distinctive orange-brown fly with a disproportionately large, inflated head and a curved abdomen. It perches conspicuously on flowers waiting to intercept passing bumblebees.
Did You Know?
The parasitized bumblebee eventually dies and buries itself in the ground, where the fly larva pupates inside the bee.
Rosette Gall Midge
A tiny midge that causes distinctive rosette galls on the tips of stinging nettles. The growing tip is stunted and swollen. Very common wherever nettles grow.
Did You Know?
The distinctive bunched rosette galls on nettle tips are so common that most people have seen them without knowing the cause.