Elephant Mosquito vs Silvius Horse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Elephant Mosquito | Silvius Horse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Toxorhynchites rutilus | Silvius alpinus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | Central and Southern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Elephant Mosquito
A large, iridescent blue-green mosquito whose adults do not bite. Larvae are predators of other mosquito larvae in tree holes.
Did You Know?
It is studied as a biological control agent because its larvae devour disease-carrying mosquito larvae.
Silvius Horse Fly
A small brownish horse fly found in mountain forests and alpine meadows. It is one of the few horse flies adapted to high-altitude habitats.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few horse fly species that thrives at altitudes above 1500 meters.