River Midge vs Belkin's Dune Tabanid Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | River Midge | Belkin's Dune Tabanid Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rheotanytarsus exiguus | Brennania belkini |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 1-1.5 cm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
River Midge
A small filter-feeding midge that builds silken nets on submerged stones in flowing water. Larvae are among the most abundant invertebrates in clean streams.
Did You Know?
Larvae build tiny fan-shaped silk nets that function like miniature versions of caddisfly catch-nets.
Belkin's Dune Tabanid Fly
A rare horse fly known only from the El Segundo sand dunes in Los Angeles County. Larvae develop in the sand and adults are seldom encountered.
Did You Know?
Most of the El Segundo dunes were destroyed to build Los Angeles International Airport.