River Midge vs Drone Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | River Midge | Drone Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rheotanytarsus exiguus | Eristalis tenax |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Drone Fly
A large hoverfly that is an excellent mimic of the honey bee, complete with similar coloring and buzzing flight. Its aquatic larva is known as a rat-tailed maggot due to its long breathing siphon.
Did You Know?
The rat-tailed maggot larva can breathe in heavily polluted water by extending its telescoping tail siphon up to 10 centimeters to reach the surface air.