Arctic Mosquito vs Moorhen Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Mosquito | Moorhen Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aedes nigripes | Dasypsyllus gallinulae |
| Order | Diptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Ceratophyllidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Woodlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Mosquito
A large, dark-bodied mosquito common across the Arctic tundra. Females emerge in enormous swarms after snowmelt to blood-feed on caribou and other mammals. Adults have dark scales and pale-banded legs.
Did You Know?
Arctic mosquito swarms can be so dense they have been documented driving caribou to stampede across the tundra.
Moorhen Flea
A flea commonly found on small passerine birds including tits, wrens, and robins. It breeds in bird nesting boxes and natural cavities.
Did You Know?
This flea is so common in European bird nest boxes that ornithologists routinely find them when checking boxes during the breeding season.