Midge Gall Fly vs Lord Howe Island Stick Insect
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Midge Gall Fly | Lord Howe Island Stick Insect |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Asphondylia sarothamni | Dryococelus australis |
| Order | Diptera | Phasmatodea |
| Family | Cecidomyiidae | Phasmatidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 120-150 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
Midge Gall Fly
A gall midge that induces pod-like galls on broom shrubs. Its larvae develop inside swollen seed pods alongside symbiotic fungi.
Did You Know?
It farms a symbiotic fungus inside the gall that provides food for its developing larva.
Lord Howe Island Stick Insect
Once thought extinct after rats were introduced in 1918, a tiny population was rediscovered in 2001 on Balls Pyramid, a volcanic sea stack 23 km from Lord Howe Island.
Did You Know?
Fewer than 30 individuals were found clinging to a single bush on a barren sea stack — making this the rarest insect rediscovery in history. Captive breeding saved the species.