Mountain Midge vs Christmas Island Blue Crab Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Midge Christmas Island Blue Crab Fly
Scientific Name Deuterophlebia coloradensis Paramyia nitens
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Deuterophlebiidae Phoridae
Size 3-5 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Mountains Forests
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions North America Christmas Island
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Mountain Midge

A tiny midge whose larvae cling to rocks in fast-flowing alpine streams with suction discs.

💡

Did You Know?

Adults have bizarre fan-shaped wings that are useless for flight.

Christmas Island Blue Crab Fly

A tiny fly found on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean associated with red crab migrations. It lays eggs on injured or dead crabs.

💡

Did You Know?

During the annual red crab migration, these flies congregate in vast swarms along forest trails.