Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura) vs Mountain Bristletail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura) Mountain Bristletail
Scientific Name Drosophila heteroneura Trigoniophthalmus alternatus
Order Diptera Archaeognatha
Family Drosophilidae Machilidae
Size 5-7 mm 10-15 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Detritivores
Regions Oceania (Hawaii - Big Island) Central Europe
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura)

A remarkable Hawaiian picture-wing fly famous for its hammer-shaped head, found only on Hawaii Island. Males use their broad, flattened heads in head-butting contests for mating rights. It breeds in decaying Clermontia bark.

💡

Did You Know?

Males have uniquely hammer-shaped heads that they use as battering rams, headbutting rival males in combat over territory and mates.

Mountain Bristletail

A large bristletail found in forests and rocky habitats across central Europe. It has distinctive triangular compound eyes that meet on top of its head.

💡

Did You Know?

Its genus name refers to its triangular eyes, a key identifying feature.