Arctic Louse Fly vs Tundra Mosquito
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Louse Fly | Tundra Mosquito |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ornithomya fringillina | Aedes impiger |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Hippoboscidae | Culicidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Parasites | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska | Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland, Svalbard, northern Alaska |
| 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.
Tundra Mosquito
A small but abundant Arctic mosquito with dark body and pale leg bands. It is one of the most northerly distributed mosquito species in the world. Larvae inhabit shallow tundra ponds warmed by continuous summer sunlight.
Did You Know?
This mosquito has been found breeding at latitudes above 80 degrees north, among the most northerly insects on Earth.