St Mark's Fly vs Farmyard Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | St Mark's Fly | Farmyard Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bibio johannis | Culicoides nubeculosus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Bibionidae | Ceratopogonidae |
| Size | 6-10mm | 2 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
St Mark's Fly
A small black fly that swarms in May. Males have large heads with huge eyes that almost meet on top.
Did You Know?
Often confused with the larger Bibio marci but emerges slightly later and has entirely dark legs.
Farmyard Midge
A tiny biting midge that breeds in mud contaminated by dung or sewage. Adults suck blood from horses and cattle. Can transmit bluetongue virus and African horse sickness.
Did You Know?
Despite being only 2mm long, it is the primary vector of bluetongue virus, a devastating livestock disease.