Northern Black Fly vs South American Walking Stick

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Northern Black Fly South American Walking Stick
Scientific Name Simulium venustum Ctenomorpha gargantua
Order Diptera Phasmatodea
Family Simuliidae Phasmatidae
Size 2-4 mm 180-250 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions North America South America (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Northern Black Fly

A common biting black fly of northern forests and boreal streams. Larvae form dense colonies on submerged rocks in cold flowing water.

💡

Did You Know?

Females can detect carbon dioxide exhaled by hosts from over 20 meters away.

South American Walking Stick

An extremely long stick insect that can reach over 250 mm in body length, making it one of the longest insects in South America. It is bright green as a nymph, becoming brown and bark-like as an adult. Females are flightless, while males can glide short distances.

💡

Did You Know?

When threatened, it drops to the ground and lies perfectly still, becoming virtually indistinguishable from a fallen twig.