Common Bat Fly vs Bioluminescent Fungus Gnat

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Bat Fly Bioluminescent Fungus Gnat
Scientific Name Basilia nana Keroplatus testaceus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Nycteribiidae Keroplatidae
Size 2-3 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Caves Woodlands
Diet Blood Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Common Bat Fly

A tiny, completely wingless spider-like fly that parasitizes bats. Its body is so highly modified for ectoparasitism that it bears almost no resemblance to a typical fly.

💡

Did You Know?

It has evolved to be so specialized that its head folds back over the thorax, and it walks like a spider through bat fur.

Bioluminescent Fungus Gnat

A remarkable fungus gnat whose larvae create bioluminescent webs on bracket fungi. The blue-green glow attracts prey insects. One of the few bioluminescent insects outside fireflies.

💡

Did You Know?

Larvae glow in the dark, creating eerie blue-green patches on bracket fungi in dark forests.