Long-winged Fungus Gnat vs Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Long-winged Fungus Gnat | Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macrocera stigma | Profenusa thomsoni |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Mycetophilidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Long-winged Fungus Gnat
A delicate fungus gnat with unusually long antennae and slender patterned wings. It is often found in shaded damp woodland where it hunts small insects.
Did You Know?
Some Macrocera species have bioluminescent larvae, though less spectacularly than the cave glowworms.
Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly
A tiny black sawfly whose larvae create distinctive blotch mines within birch leaves. Mined leaves develop brown, papery patches.
Did You Know?
Heavy infestations can cause over 80 percent of birch leaves to become mined, giving trees a scorched appearance by late summer.