Japanese Maple Sawfly vs Banded Blackfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Maple Sawfly Banded Blackfly
Scientific Name Megalodontes cephalotes Simulium ornatum
Order Hymenoptera Diptera
Family Pamphiliidae Simuliidae
Size 12-18 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Meadows Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Southern and Central Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Maple Sawfly

A colorful web-spinning sawfly with a large head, bright orange body, and distinctive long antennae. It is associated with umbelliferous plants in southern Europe.

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Did You Know?

Despite its common association with umbellifers, this species belongs to a family mostly known for conifer and broadleaf tree feeders.

Banded Blackfly

A widespread European black fly species complex found in diverse stream types. Larvae filter-feed from silken pads attached to trailing vegetation and stones.

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Did You Know?

Recent DNA studies revealed that what was considered one species is actually a complex of several cryptic species.