Arctic Mosquito vs Northern Black Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Mosquito | Northern Black Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aedes nigripes | Simulium venustum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Forests |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia | North America |
| 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.
Northern Black Fly
A common biting black fly of northern forests and boreal streams. Larvae form dense colonies on submerged rocks in cold flowing water.
Did You Know?
Females can detect carbon dioxide exhaled by hosts from over 20 meters away.