Biting Midge (No-See-Um) vs Aquatic Snail-killing Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Biting Midge (No-See-Um) | Aquatic Snail-killing Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides imicola | Sepedon sphegea |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Sciomyzidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 5-9 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Wetlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Africa, Middle East, southern Europe, Asia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Biting Midge (No-See-Um)
A tiny biting midge that is the primary Old World vector of bluetongue virus and African horse sickness virus. It breeds in moist, organically enriched soil and is crepuscular, biting at dawn and dusk. Its northward spread into Europe has introduced bluetongue to previously unaffected areas.
Did You Know?
Climate change has allowed this midge to expand northward into Europe, bringing bluetongue disease to countries that had never experienced it.
Aquatic Snail-killing Fly
A slender marsh fly with a distinctly pointed abdomen and yellowish-brown coloring. Larvae are aquatic predators of freshwater snails, attacking them underwater.
Did You Know?
A single larva may consume multiple snails during its development, making it an effective natural snail control agent.