Rothschild's Achias vs Rose Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rothschild's Achias Rose Midge
Scientific Name Achias rothschildi Dasineura rhodophaga
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Platystomatidae Cecidomyiidae
Size 15-18 mm 1-2 mm
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Sap Feeders Gall Makers
Regions Papua New Guinea North America, Europe
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

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.

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Did You Know?

Has the largest head capsule relative to body size of any insect, with eye stalks wider than its body.

Rose Midge

A tiny gall midge whose larvae develop inside rose buds, causing them to blacken and fail to open. Adults are delicate yellowish flies barely visible to the naked eye.

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Did You Know?

A single rose bud can contain dozens of tiny orange larvae that destroy the flower before it ever opens.