Small-headed Fly vs Hessian Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small-headed Fly | Hessian Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ogcodes pallidipennis | Mayetiola destructor |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Acroceridae | Cecidomyiidae |
| Size | 4-8 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Europe | Cosmopolitan - originally Eurasia, now worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Small-headed Fly
A round-bodied fly with a tiny head whose larva parasitizes spiders from the inside.
Did You Know?
The first-instar larva attaches to a passing spider and burrows inside to feed.
Hessian Fly
A tiny dark gall midge that is one of the most destructive pests of wheat and barley worldwide. Adults resemble small dark mosquitoes and live for only a few days.
Did You Know?
Named after Hessian soldiers in the American Revolution who supposedly brought it to North America in straw bedding.