Rosette Gall Midge vs Hornet Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rosette Gall Midge | Hornet Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dasineura urticae | Volucella zonaria |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Cecidomyiidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 1.5-2.5 mm | 18-22 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Gall Makers | Scavengers |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
The distinctive bunched rosette galls on nettle tips are so common that most people have seen them without knowing the cause.
Hornet Hoverfly
Europe's largest hoverfly and a convincing hornet mimic with bold yellow-and-brown banding. Its larvae develop as scavengers in the nests of social wasps and hornets.
Did You Know?
Its larvae live inside hornet nests, feeding on dead wasps and nest debris while being ignored by the colony.