Arctic Mosquito vs Sticktight Flea

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arctic Mosquito Sticktight Flea
Scientific Name Aedes nigripes Echidnophaga gallinacea
Order Diptera Siphonaptera
Family Culicidae Pulicidae
Size 5-8 mm 1-2 mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Woodlands
Diet Blood Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Arctic Canada, Alaska, Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia Worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions
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.

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Did You Know?

Arctic mosquito swarms can be so dense they have been documented driving caribou to stampede across the tundra.

Sticktight Flea

A small flea that permanently attaches to the skin of poultry, often around the face and comb. It can also parasitize dogs, cats, and humans.

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Did You Know?

Unlike other fleas, the female embeds her mouthparts permanently into the host and never voluntarily detaches.