Hessian Fly vs Australian March Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hessian Fly | Australian March Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mayetiola destructor | Bibio imitator |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Cecidomyiidae | Bibionidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Herbivores |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan - originally Eurasia, now worldwide | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hessian Fly
A tiny dark gall midge that is one of the most destructive pests of wheat and barley worldwide. Adults resemble small dark mosquitoes and live for only a few days.
Did You Know?
Named after Hessian soldiers in the American Revolution who supposedly brought it to North America in straw bedding.
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.
Did You Know?
Despite sharing the common name with horse flies in Australia, march flies in the family Bibionidae are completely harmless.