Orange Wheat Blossom Midge vs Hover Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Orange Wheat Blossom Midge | Hover Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sitodiplosis mosellana | Syrphus ribesii |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Cecidomyiidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Asia | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Orange Wheat Blossom Midge
A small orange-colored gall midge that lays eggs in wheat flowers. Its bright orange larvae feed on developing wheat grains, causing significant yield losses in cereal crops.
Did You Know?
Larvae can enter diapause in the soil for over a decade, emerging years later when conditions are favorable.
Hover Fly
A bright yellow and black banded hoverfly that is an excellent wasp mimic. It hovers motionless in sunbeams before darting to a new position with extraordinary agility.
Did You Know?
Hoverflies are the only insects besides hummingbirds and hawk-moths that can truly hover in one spot, fly backward, and fly sideways with precision.