Southern Net-Winged Midge vs Tropical Bat Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Net-Winged Midge | Tropical Bat Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Blepharicera cherokea | Cyclopodia horsfieldi |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Blephariceridae | Nycteribiidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Caves |
| Diet | Omnivores | Parasites |
| Regions | North America | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Southern Net-Winged Midge
A net-winged midge endemic to southern Appalachian mountain streams. Larvae graze diatoms from smooth rock faces in fast cascades.
Did You Know?
Each suction disc on the larva generates enough force to support the entire body against rushing water.
Tropical Bat Fly
A bizarre wingless bat fly with extremely long spider-like legs and a flattened body. It is a specialist parasite of fruit bats in tropical Asia.
Did You Know?
Its legs are so long relative to its body that it can crawl rapidly through bat fur while maintaining grip during flight.