River Midge vs Sallow Kitten
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | River Midge | Sallow Kitten |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rheotanytarsus exiguus | Furcula furcula |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Notodontidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 30-37 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| 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.
Sallow Kitten
A small, fluffy white moth with delicate grey markings. Named for its resemblance to a small cat. Larvae have tail filaments like the puss moth. Found near willow and sallow.
Did You Know?
A diminutive relative of the puss moth, whose caterpillars share the same tail-whipping defensive behavior.