Mountain Prosimulium vs Owl Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mountain Prosimulium Owl Midge
Scientific Name Prosimulium mixtum Clogmia albipunctata
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Simuliidae Psychodidae
Size 2-4 mm 2-5 mm
Habitat Mountains Underground
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Cosmopolitan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mountain Prosimulium

An early-season black fly of cold mountain streams in North America. Larvae develop in small headwater streams during late winter and early spring.

💡

Did You Know?

Adults emerge so early in spring that they are often the first biting flies encountered by hikers each year.

Owl Midge

A small fuzzy moth-like fly found in bathrooms and drains worldwide. Its larvae feed on gelatinous films of bacteria inside drainage pipes.

💡

Did You Know?

Despite living in unsanitary conditions, it is not known to transmit any diseases to humans.