Golden-tabbed Robber Fly vs Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Golden-tabbed Robber Fly Midge
Scientific Name Choerades marginatus Chironomus plumosus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Asilidae Chironomidae
Size 15-22mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Forests Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Detritivores
Regions Europe Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Golden-tabbed Robber Fly

A large bristly brown robber fly with golden hair tufts that ambushes prey from sunny perches on logs.

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Did You Know?

Sits motionless on sun-warmed logs waiting for insects to fly past, then launches with explosive speed to intercept.

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.

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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.