Australian Stiletto Fly vs Orthoclad Stream Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Stiletto Fly Orthoclad Stream Midge
Scientific Name Anabarhynchus bilineatus Orthocladius oblidens
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Therevidae Chironomidae
Size 8-14 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Heathland Rivers & Streams
Diet Herbivores Detritivores
Regions Australia Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Stiletto Fly

A slender gray stiletto fly with two pale longitudinal stripes on the thorax and a distinctly tapered abdomen. It is commonly found resting on foliage or on the ground in bushland.

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Did You Know?

Australia has an exceptionally high diversity of stiletto flies, with over 500 described species in the family.

Orthoclad Stream Midge

A small non-biting midge typical of cold running water habitats. Larvae build silk tubes on stone surfaces in stream riffles.

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Did You Know?

Orthocladiinae midges are often the most species-rich insect group in pristine mountain streams.