Orthoclad Stream Midge vs North American Pygmy Mole Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Orthoclad Stream Midge | North American Pygmy Mole Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orthocladius oblidens | Neotridactylus apicialis |
| Order | Diptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Tridactylidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Detritivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Eastern United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Orthoclad Stream Midge
A small non-biting midge typical of cold running water habitats. Larvae build silk tubes on stone surfaces in stream riffles.
Did You Know?
Orthocladiinae midges are often the most species-rich insect group in pristine mountain streams.
North American Pygmy Mole Cricket
A minute mole cricket found on sandy shores of rivers and ponds in North America. It burrows just beneath the wet sand surface.
Did You Know?
Its hind tibiae bear paddle-like swimming plates that allow it to skim across the surface of water when flooded out of its burrow.