Hessian Fly vs Comstock's Net-Winged Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hessian Fly | Comstock's Net-Winged Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mayetiola destructor | Agathon comstocki |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Cecidomyiidae | Blephariceridae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Omnivores |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan - originally Eurasia, now worldwide | North America |
| 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.
Comstock's Net-Winged Midge
A western North American net-winged midge found on waterfall-splashed rocks. Larvae have a unique caterpillar-like body with sucker discs.
Did You Know?
Larvae inch forward using alternating suction attachment, moving like a caterpillar across wet rock faces.