Arctic Louse Fly vs Yellow Swarming Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Louse Fly | Yellow Swarming Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ornithomya fringillina | Thaumatomyia notata |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Hippoboscidae | Chloropidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 2-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Grasslands |
| Diet | Parasites | Predators |
| Regions | Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska | Europe |
| 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.
Yellow Swarming Fly
A tiny yellow fly famous for forming enormous hibernation aggregations in buildings, sometimes numbering millions. Larvae are predatory on root aphids in grassland.
Did You Know?
Can form hibernation clusters of millions in attic spaces, with individual aggregations weighing several kilograms.