Coffin Fly vs Southern Net-Winged Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Coffin Fly Southern Net-Winged Midge
Scientific Name Conicera tibialis Blepharicera cherokea
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Phoridae Blephariceridae
Size 2-3 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Underground Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Coffin Fly

A tiny humpbacked fly capable of burrowing through soil to reach buried remains. It is of forensic importance as it can colonize remains inaccessible to other insects.

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Did You Know?

It can burrow through over a meter of soil to reach a food source below ground.

Southern Net-Winged Midge

A net-winged midge endemic to southern Appalachian mountain streams. Larvae graze diatoms from smooth rock faces in fast cascades.

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Did You Know?

Each suction disc on the larva generates enough force to support the entire body against rushing water.