Gallinipper Mosquito vs Reindeer Warble Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Gallinipper Mosquito | Reindeer Warble Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psorophora ciliata | Hypoderma tarandi |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 7-12 mm | 13-17 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Heathland |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Eastern North America, Central and South America | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Gallinipper Mosquito
One of the largest mosquitoes in North America, with shaggy legs covered in dark and pale scales. It delivers an exceptionally painful bite and breeds in temporary rain pools after heavy storms. Its larvae are predatory, feeding on other mosquito larvae in their shared breeding habitat.
Did You Know?
It is so large and bites so aggressively that early American settlers gave it the folk name 'gallinipper,' meaning something that nips gallon-sized bites.
Reindeer Warble Fly
A stout, furry fly that parasitizes reindeer and caribou. Females dart at reindeer to lay eggs on their legs. Larvae burrow through the skin and migrate through the body, creating warble lumps under the back skin.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of this fly causes reindeer to panic and stampede, and heavy infestations can reduce a reindeer's body weight by up to 25 percent.