Phantom Midge vs African Horse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Phantom Midge | African Horse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chaoborus crystallinus | Tabanus biguttatus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chaoboridae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 8-10 mm | 16-22 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Phantom Midge
A nearly transparent midge whose larvae are planktonic predators in lakes. Larvae migrate vertically in the water column daily to avoid fish predation.
Did You Know?
Its glass-clear larvae are almost invisible in water, earning the common name glassworm.
African Horse Fly
A large tropical horse fly that transmits animal trypanosomiasis in Africa. It is an important veterinary pest across sub-Saharan Africa.
Did You Know?
It is a mechanical vector of surra and other trypanosome diseases in African livestock.