Glacier Black Fly vs Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Glacier Black Fly | Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Prosimulium alpestre | Chironomus plumosus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Simuliidae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm body length | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Alps, Northern Europe | Europe, Asia, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Glacier Black Fly
A small black fly whose larvae develop in fast-flowing alpine streams. Adults are among the earliest insects active after snowmelt.
Did You Know?
Larvae anchor themselves to rocks in torrential currents using silk pads and tiny hooks.
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.