Log Miner Midge vs Ochraceum Black Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Log Miner Midge | Ochraceum Black Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Stenochironomus hilaris | Simulium ochraceum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 1.5-3 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Mountains |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Mexico, Guatemala, southern Mexico, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Log Miner Midge
A wood-mining chironomid whose larvae bore into submerged decaying logs in streams. Larvae create visible galleries beneath the bark of waterlogged timber.
Did You Know?
It is one of very few insects whose larvae can digest submerged waterlogged wood.
Ochraceum Black Fly
A small orangish-brown black fly that is the principal vector of onchocerciasis in Central America and southern Mexico. It breeds in small, fast-running mountain streams. Biting activity peaks in the early morning and late afternoon in coffee-growing regions.
Did You Know?
The Americas are close to eliminating onchocerciasis thanks to mass ivermectin distribution targeting this vector's parasite.