Fever Fly vs Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Fever Fly | Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dilophus febrilis | Chironomus plumosus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Bibionidae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Fever Fly
A small, shiny black march fly with spiny front tibiae used for digging. It was once believed to cause fevers in humans, hence its common name, though it is completely harmless.
Did You Know?
Its spiny front legs are used by females to dig into soil for egg-laying, an unusual adaptation among flies.
Midge
A delicate, mosquito-like fly with feathery antennae that forms enormous mating swarms at dusk. Despite their appearance, non-biting midges are completely harmless.
Did You Know?
Midge swarms can be so dense near lakes that they appear on weather radar, and the biomass of emerging adults can exceed one ton per hectare of lake surface per year.