Swede Midge vs False Stable Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Swede Midge False Stable Fly
Scientific Name Contarinia nasturtii Muscina stabulans
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Cecidomyiidae Muscidae
Size 1.5-2 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Gall Makers Predators
Regions Europe, North America Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Swede Midge

A minute yellowish-brown gall midge that attacks brassica crops by distorting growing points. Its tiny larvae feed inside developing buds, causing characteristic twisted and swollen growth.

💡

Did You Know?

It was first detected in North America in 2000 and has since become a major emerging pest of brassica crops.

False Stable Fly

A robust fly resembling a large house fly with reddish-yellow patches at the wing base. Larvae can be facultative predators of other fly larvae.

💡

Did You Know?

Its predatory larvae sometimes consume house fly larvae, making it an accidental biocontrol agent.