Owl Midge vs Fairyfly Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Owl Midge | Fairyfly Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Clogmia albipunctata | Dicopomorpha echmepterygis |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Psychodidae | Mymaridae |
| Size | 2-5 mm | 0.139-0.240 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan | North America |
| 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.
Fairyfly Wasp
The smallest known insect in the world at just 0.139 mm in length. Males are blind, wingless, and smaller than some single-celled organisms.
Did You Know?
Males of this species are smaller than a paramecium — they are blind and wingless, existing solely to mate with sisters before they even leave the host egg.