Biting Midge (No-See-Um) vs Asian Multicolored Lady Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Biting Midge (No-See-Um) | Asian Multicolored Lady Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides imicola | Harmonia axyridis |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Coccinellidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Africa, Middle East, southern Europe, Asia | East Asia; invasive worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Asian Multicolored Lady Beetle
A highly variable ladybird ranging from orange with many spots to solid black. Originally released for biocontrol, it is now invasive worldwide.
Did You Know?
It aggregates in enormous numbers on buildings in autumn, sometimes numbering in the thousands.