Horned Aphid vs Mydas Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Horned Aphid Mydas Fly
Scientific Name Tuberaphis styraci Gauromydas heros
Order Hemiptera Diptera
Family Hormaphididae Mydidae
Size 1-2.5 mm 40-60 mm body
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Sap Feeders Detritivores
Regions Japan, East Asia South America
Conservation Not Evaluated Data Deficient

Horned Aphid

A social aphid from East Asia that forms colonies defended by sterile soldier nymphs with horned heads. They live on styrax trees and produce a single soldier caste.

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Did You Know?

Soldiers stab intruders with their sharp horns and inject a toxic secretion, dying in the process like a honeybee's suicide sting.

Mydas Fly

The largest fly in the world at up to 60 mm long with a 100 mm wingspan. A wasp mimic with black body and orange-red markings. Larvae develop in ant nests.

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Did You Know?

At 6 cm long with a 10 cm wingspan, this is the worlds largest fly — it mimics a spider wasp so convincingly that even entomologists can be fooled at first glance.