Antarctic Midge vs Autumn Horse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Antarctic Midge | Autumn Horse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Belgica antarctica | Tabanus autumnalis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 2-6 mm | 16-22 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Heathland |
| Diet | Detritivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Antarctica | Europe, North Africa, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Antarctic Midge
The only insect endemic to Antarctica and the continents largest purely terrestrial animal at 2-6 mm. Wingless, freeze-tolerant, and can survive temperatures down to -15C.
Did You Know?
This midge has the smallest known insect genome at 99 million base pairs — 97% smaller than a mosquito, likely an adaptation to survive extreme cold with minimal energy.
Autumn Horse Fly
A large greyish horse fly active in late summer and autumn. It has striking green-banded eyes and a persistent biting habit.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few horse fly species that remains active well into October.