High-altitude Midge vs Japanese Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | High-altitude Midge | Japanese Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diamesa latitarsis | Cophinopoda chinensis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm body length | 20-30 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | Alps, Carpathians, Scandinavia | East Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
High-altitude Midge
A small, dark midge whose larvae inhabit the coldest alpine streams. It has unusually broad tarsi adapted for walking on wet rocks.
Did You Know?
Its broad feet allow it to grip wet rocks in fast-flowing glacial streams.
Japanese Robber Fly
A large East Asian robber fly with powerful raptorial legs. It preys on cicadas and large beetles in montane forests.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few flies capable of overpowering and killing adult cicadas.