Tundra Mosquito vs Comstock's Net-Winged Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tundra Mosquito Comstock's Net-Winged Midge
Scientific Name Aedes impiger Agathon comstocki
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Culicidae Blephariceridae
Size 4-6 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Ponds & Lakes
Diet Blood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland, Svalbard, northern Alaska North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tundra Mosquito

A small but abundant Arctic mosquito with dark body and pale leg bands. It is one of the most northerly distributed mosquito species in the world. Larvae inhabit shallow tundra ponds warmed by continuous summer sunlight.

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Did You Know?

This mosquito has been found breeding at latitudes above 80 degrees north, among the most northerly insects on Earth.

Comstock's Net-Winged Midge

A western North American net-winged midge found on waterfall-splashed rocks. Larvae have a unique caterpillar-like body with sucker discs.

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Did You Know?

Larvae inch forward using alternating suction attachment, moving like a caterpillar across wet rock faces.