Tropical Bat Fly vs Glacier Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tropical Bat Fly | Glacier Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cyclopodia horsfieldi | Diamesa steinboecki |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Nycteribiidae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Parasites | Detritivores |
| Regions | South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
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.
Glacier Midge
A remarkable midge that completes its entire life cycle in glacial streams at temperatures near 0C. Represents one of the coldest habitats inhabited by any insect.
Did You Know?
This midge lives its entire life in water barely above freezing — its larvae graze algae on glacier surfaces where temperatures hover around 0C year-round.