Dark-winged Fungus Gnat vs Speonomus Cave Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark-winged Fungus Gnat Speonomus Cave Beetle
Scientific Name Sciara hemerobioides Speonomus pyrenaeus
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Mycetophilidae Leiodidae
Size 4-6 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Woodlands Caves
Diet Fungus Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions Europe France, Spain
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dark-winged Fungus Gnat

A small, dark fungus gnat with smoky wings and long slender antennae. Its larvae are known for forming spectacular marching columns of thousands of individuals.

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Did You Know?

Larvae form army-like processions of thousands marching in columns across forest floors, a phenomenon called 'Heerwurm' in German.

Speonomus Cave Beetle

A small cave beetle from the Pyrenees known for its extreme cave adaptations. It has vestigial eyes and elongated sensory structures.

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Did You Know?

The genus Speonomus contains over 100 cave-adapted species in the Pyrenees alone.