South American Robber Fly vs Sonorensis Biting Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | South American Robber Fly | Sonorensis Biting Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Microstylum magnum | Culicoides sonorensis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Asilidae | Ceratopogonidae |
| Size | 30-40 mm | 1-3 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | South America, Central America | North America, especially southwestern United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
South American Robber Fly
A large, elongate robber fly from tropical regions with a slender abdomen and long spiny legs. It hunts from exposed perches and can catch large prey relative to its body size.
Did You Know?
Some tropical Asilidae species are among the largest predatory flies in the world, rivaling small dragonflies in wingspan.
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.