Midge vs Alpine Snow Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Midge | Alpine Snow Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chironomus plumosus | Chionea lutescens |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Limoniidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 3-5 mm body length |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Mountains |
| Diet | Detritivores | Scavengers |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Alps, Central Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Alpine Snow Fly
A yellowish wingless crane fly found on snow in alpine regions. It breeds in soil beneath the snowpack where larvae feed on decaying matter.
Did You Know?
Adults emerge in midwinter and mate directly on the snow surface.