Midge vs Cluster Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Midge | Cluster Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chironomus plumosus | Pollenia rudis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Gardens |
| Diet | Detritivores | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Europe, North America |
| 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.
Cluster Fly
A medium-sized, dark gray fly with golden-brown hairs on the thorax. In autumn, it gathers in large clusters inside buildings to hibernate, sometimes in the thousands.
Did You Know?
The larvae of this fly are earthworm parasites, burrowing into the worm through its skin and consuming it alive from the inside over several weeks.