Orange Wheat Blossom Midge vs Spurge Hawkmoth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Orange Wheat Blossom Midge | Spurge Hawkmoth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sitodiplosis mosellana | Hyles euphorbiae |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Cecidomyiidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 60-80 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North America, Asia | Europe, Central 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.
Spurge Hawkmoth
A striking hawkmoth with olive and pink forewings and rosy-red hindwings with a black base. Its caterpillar is equally spectacular with red, black, yellow, and white markings.
Did You Know?
It has been introduced to North America as a biological control agent for invasive leafy spurge.