Midge vs North American Spongillafly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Midge | North American Spongillafly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chironomus plumosus | Climacia areolaris |
| Order | Diptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Sisyridae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 6-10 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America | Eastern 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.
North American Spongillafly
A small spongillafly found across eastern North America near fresh water. Its larvae feed on freshwater sponges attached to submerged rocks and logs.
Did You Know?
Larvae pupate on land inside double-walled cocoons after crawling out of the water.