Dark-stigma Snakefly vs Phantom Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark-stigma Snakefly Phantom Midge
Scientific Name Phaeostigma notata Chaoborus crystallinus
Order Raphidioptera Diptera
Family Raphidiidae Chaoboridae
Size 12-15 mm body 8-10 mm
Habitat Woodlands Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dark-stigma Snakefly

A primitive predatory insect with an elongated prothorax giving it a snake-like neck. Found on tree trunks in woodland. Both adults and larvae prey on small insects.

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Did You Know?

Snakeflies are living fossils with a body plan virtually unchanged for over 140 million years.

Phantom Midge

A nearly transparent midge whose larvae are planktonic predators in lakes. Larvae migrate vertically in the water column daily to avoid fish predation.

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Did You Know?

Its glass-clear larvae are almost invisible in water, earning the common name glassworm.