Sonorensis Biting Midge vs Flat Silphid Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sonorensis Biting Midge | Flat Silphid Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides sonorensis | Silpha tristis |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Silphidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 10-15 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | North America, especially southwestern United States | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sonorensis Biting Midge
A small biting midge that is the primary vector of bluetongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in North America. It breeds in muddy margins of dairy wastewater ponds and is most abundant in the southwestern United States. It is responsible for severe livestock disease outbreaks.
Did You Know?
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease transmitted by this midge kills thousands of white-tailed deer across North America annually.
Flat Silphid Beetle
A flattened, all-black silphid beetle with three raised ridges on each wing case. It feeds on snails and caterpillars rather than carrion.
Did You Know?
Unlike most silphids, it has shifted entirely to predation and is rarely found on carrion at all.