About Rothschild's Achias
A remarkable Papua New Guinean fly where males have enormously elongated eye stalks. Males use their extended eyes to size up rivals. Has the largest head capsule of any known insect.
Did You Know?
Has the largest head capsule relative to body size of any insect, with eye stalks wider than its body.
How to Identify Rothschild's Achias
Rothschild's Achias (Achias rothschildi) belongs to the order Diptera, family Platystomatidae. Adults typically measure 15-18 mm.
Rothschild's Achias Habitat
Rothschild's Achias is found in forests habitats, particularly across Papua New Guinea. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.
Rothschild's Achias Diet and Feeding
Rothschild's Achias feeds on plant sap by piercing stems and leaves with specialised mouthparts. Sap feeders extract nutrients directly from the plant's vascular system.
Where Is Rothschild's Achias Found?
Rothschild's Achias can be found in Papua New Guinea, where it inhabits forests environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.
Distribution Map
Where Rothschild's Achias can be found
Is Rothschild's Achias Dangerous?
Rothschild's Achias is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk. Like most insects, it prefers to avoid human contact and will typically flee rather than confront a perceived threat.
Rothschild's Achias Role in Nature
Rothschild's Achias is part of the food web as a primary consumer, feeding on plant material. It serves as an important food source for birds, bats, amphibians, and other insectivores, connecting plant energy to higher trophic levels.
Seasonal Activity
Frequently Asked Questions About Rothschild's Achias
What does Rothschild's Achias look like?
The Rothschild's Achias typically measures 15-18 mm.
Where is Rothschild's Achias found?
The Rothschild's Achias is found in Papua New Guinea and typically inhabits forests environments.
What does Rothschild's Achias eat?
The Rothschild's Achias feeds on plant sap by piercing stems and leaves.
Is Rothschild's Achias dangerous to humans?
The Rothschild's Achias is generally harmless to humans. It does not bite or sting and poses no significant health risk.
Is Rothschild's Achias endangered?
The Rothschild's Achias is currently classified as Data Deficient by conservation assessments. Habitat loss and environmental changes are among the primary threats to its population.
What is an interesting fact about Rothschild's Achias?
Has the largest head capsule relative to body size of any insect, with eye stalks wider than its body.
Cite This Page
APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Rothschild's Achias (Achias rothschildi). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/rothschilds-achias
MLA:
"Rothschild's Achias." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/rothschilds-achias.