Pear Leaf-curling Midge vs Twin-spot Centurion

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pear Leaf-curling Midge Twin-spot Centurion
Scientific Name Dasineura pyri Sargus bipunctatus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Cecidomyiidae Stratiomyidae
Size 1-2 mm 8-13 mm
Habitat Orchards Underground
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, introduced to North America and Australia Europe
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.

Twin-spot Centurion

A metallic bronze-green soldier fly with two characteristic pale spots on the frons. It is one of the most common stratiomyids in Europe, found basking on ivy flowers in autumn.

💡

Did You Know?

It is one of the last flies to be active in autumn, still visiting ivy flowers well into November.