Cold-water Glacier Midge vs Triplaris Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cold-water Glacier Midge Triplaris Ant
Scientific Name Diamesa cinerella Pseudomyrmex triplarinus
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Chironomidae Formicidae
Size 3-4 mm body length 4-7 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Alps, Scandinavia South America, Amazon Basin
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cold-water Glacier Midge

A cold-adapted midge found in high-altitude streams fed by snowmelt. Its larvae are among the first colonizers of newly formed glacial streams.

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Did You Know?

Adults can emerge and fly at temperatures just above freezing.

Triplaris Ant

A South American ant that inhabits the hollow stems of Triplaris trees in a mutualistic relationship. Workers swarm out and deliver painful stings when the host tree is disturbed.

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Did You Know?

Local people call Triplaris the 'devil tree' because touching it triggers an immediate attack by hundreds of stinging ants.