High-altitude Midge vs Pacific Spiketail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | High-altitude Midge | Pacific Spiketail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diamesa latitarsis | Cordulegaster dorsalis |
| Order | Diptera | Odonata |
| Family | Chironomidae | Cordulegastridae |
| Size | 2-4 mm body length | 65-75 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Alps, Carpathians, Scandinavia | North America |
| 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.
Pacific Spiketail
The only spiketail dragonfly on the Pacific coast of North America. It has a dark brown body with yellow dorsal spots and patrols shaded forest seepages.
Did You Know?
It is the only spiketail species found west of the Rocky Mountains in North America.