Arctic Louse Fly vs Arctic Psyllid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Louse Fly | Arctic Psyllid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ornithomya fringillina | Cacopsylla brunneipennis |
| Order | Diptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Hippoboscidae | Psyllidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Parasites | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska | Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Louse Fly
A flattened, wingless or short-winged parasitic fly that lives among the feathers of Arctic birds. Its laterally flattened body allows it to move easily through plumage. Adults have strong claws for gripping feathers.
Did You Know?
These flies can survive being transported thousands of kilometers on migratory birds from the Arctic to their wintering grounds.
Arctic Psyllid
A tiny, winged sap-sucking insect that feeds on willow in Arctic and subarctic regions. Adults are brownish with transparent wings and can jump powerfully using enlarged hind legs. Nymphs produce waxy secretions.
Did You Know?
Psyllids are sometimes called jumping plant lice because they can leap more than 50 times their own body length to escape danger.