Pear Leaf-curling Midge vs Australian Sheep Blowfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Pear Leaf-curling Midge | Australian Sheep Blowfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasineura pyri | Calliphora augur |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Cecidomyiidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Orchards | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, introduced to North America and Australia | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Pear Leaf-curling Midge
A minute gall midge whose larvae cause pear leaves to roll tightly inward along their margins. Multiple generations can occur per year, progressively damaging pear tree foliage.
Did You Know?
The larvae manipulate plant growth hormones to force leaves to curl around them, creating a protective shelter.
Australian Sheep Blowfly
A large, dark blue blow fly endemic to Australia with a distinctive orange face and cheeks. It is one of the earliest colonizers of carrion in Australian conditions and is used in forensic entomology. Occasionally it contributes to secondary blowfly strike in sheep.
Did You Know?
Its bright orange face distinguishes it from other blue blow flies and makes it one of the most recognizable forensic indicator species in Australia.