River Midge vs White-spotted Ichneumon
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | River Midge | White-spotted Ichneumon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rheotanytarsus exiguus | Compsocryptus texensis |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Chironomidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 10-18 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Southern United States, Mexico |
| 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.
White-spotted Ichneumon
A medium black ichneumon wasp with conspicuous white spots on the thorax and legs. It parasitizes spider egg sacs and caterpillars.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few ichneumon wasps adapted to the hot, dry conditions of the American Southwest.