Owl Midge vs Brazilian Railroad Worm
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Owl Midge | Brazilian Railroad Worm |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Clogmia albipunctata | Phrixothrix viviani |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Psychodidae | Phengodidae |
| Size | 2-5 mm | 20-40 mm (female), 10-14 mm (male) |
| Habitat | Underground | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan | South America, Brazil |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Brazilian Railroad Worm
A tropical glowworm beetle with the remarkable ability to produce both green lateral lights and a red cephalic light. The female is large and larviform, while the male is a small, short-lived winged beetle.
Did You Know?
The red and green lights are produced by different luciferases, making this beetle a subject of intensive biochemical research.