River Midge vs Sparkling Jewelwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | River Midge | Sparkling Jewelwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rheotanytarsus exiguus | Calopteryx xanthostoma |
| Order | Diptera | Odonata |
| Family | Chironomidae | Calopterygidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 45-50 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Africa |
| 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.
Sparkling Jewelwing
A southwestern European demoiselle closely related to the Banded Demoiselle. Males have broad dark wing bands and a distinctive yellow underside to the mouth.
Did You Know?
It can be distinguished from the Banded Demoiselle by the yellow underside of its lower lip.