Hessian Fly vs Big-headed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hessian Fly | Big-headed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mayetiola destructor | Pipunculus campestris |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Cecidomyiidae | Pipunculidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 3-6 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Herbivores |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan - originally Eurasia, now worldwide | Europe, Asia |
| 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.
Big-headed Fly
A small fly with an enormously enlarged, almost entirely eye-covered spherical head. It hovers in vegetation searching for leafhopper hosts in which to parasitize.
Did You Know?
Its enormous eyes give it near-360-degree vision, allowing it to spot leafhoppers from any angle while hovering.