Arctic Louse Fly vs Silverfish Strepsipteran
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Louse Fly | Silverfish Strepsipteran |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ornithomya fringillina | Mengenilla chobauti |
| Order | Diptera | Strepsiptera |
| Family | Hippoboscidae | Mengenillidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 2.0-3.5 mm (males) |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasites |
| Regions | Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska | Europe, Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Silverfish Strepsipteran
A primitive strepsipteran that parasitizes silverfish and firebrats. Unlike most strepsipterans, the adult female is free-living.
Did You Know?
This is one of the most primitive strepsipterans, and the free-living adult female resembles a tiny larva.