Robin's Pincushion Gall Wasp vs Rosette Gall Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Robin's Pincushion Gall Wasp Rosette Gall Midge
Scientific Name Diplolepis rosae Dasineura urticae
Order Hymenoptera Diptera
Family Cynipidae Cecidomyiidae
Size 2.5–4 mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Gall Makers Gall Makers
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe
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.

Rosette Gall Midge

A tiny midge that causes distinctive rosette galls on the tips of stinging nettles. The growing tip is stunted and swollen. Very common wherever nettles grow.

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Did You Know?

The distinctive bunched rosette galls on nettle tips are so common that most people have seen them without knowing the cause.