Arctic Chironomid Midge vs Elongate Paederine
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Chironomid Midge | Elongate Paederine |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diamesa mendotae | Lathrobium elongatum |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 3-6 mm | 7-9 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Scandinavia, alpine regions worldwide | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Chironomid Midge
A slender, non-biting midge with long legs and feathery antennae in males. Larvae are among the first invertebrates to colonize glacial meltwater streams. Adults can be active at temperatures just above freezing.
Did You Know?
Diamesa midges can fly and mate at temperatures as low as minus 6 degrees Celsius, making them among the most cold-tolerant flying insects.
Elongate Paederine
A very slender, reddish-brown paederine rove beetle that lives deep within waterlogged soils near streams. Its extremely narrow body is adapted for burrowing through saturated soil.
Did You Know?
This beetle can survive prolonged submersion in water, breathing through a plastron of air trapped by microscopic hairs on its body surface.