Banded General Soldier Fly vs Arctic Louse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Banded General Soldier Fly | Arctic Louse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stratiomys potamida | Ornithomya fringillina |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Stratiomyidae | Hippoboscidae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Banded General Soldier Fly
A large, boldly marked soldier fly with a broad flat abdomen bearing yellow lateral markings. Its aquatic larvae are elongate and can breathe through a posterior spiracle at the water surface.
Did You Know?
Larvae can survive in heavily polluted water where most other aquatic insects cannot live.
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.