Robin's Pincushion Gall Wasp vs Caribou Bot Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Robin's Pincushion Gall Wasp Caribou Bot Fly
Scientific Name Diplolepis rosae Cephenemyia jellisoni
Order Hymenoptera Diptera
Family Cynipidae Oestridae
Size 2.5–4 mm 12-16 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Gall Makers Omnivores
Regions Europe, Western Asia Alaska, northern Canada, Yukon, Northwest Territories
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Robin's Pincushion Gall Wasp

A gall wasp that forms spectacular mossy red-green growths on wild roses. Each gall may contain up to 60 larval chambers.

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Did You Know?

In medieval times, its galls were placed under pillows as a supposed cure for insomnia.

Caribou Bot Fly

A robust, furry fly that parasitizes caribou and deer in North America. Like its Eurasian relative, it deposits larvae near the nostrils of its host. Adults have vestigial mouthparts and survive entirely on stored energy.

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Did You Know?

Infected caribou may sneeze violently to expel mature bot fly larvae from their nasal passages before the larvae pupate in the soil.