Farmyard Midge vs Mountain Prosimulium

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Farmyard Midge Mountain Prosimulium
Scientific Name Culicoides nubeculosus Prosimulium mixtum
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Ceratopogonidae Simuliidae
Size 2 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Farmland Mountains
Diet Dung Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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Did You Know?

Despite being only 2mm long, it is the primary vector of bluetongue virus, a devastating livestock disease.

Mountain Prosimulium

An early-season black fly of cold mountain streams in North America. Larvae develop in small headwater streams during late winter and early spring.

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Did You Know?

Adults emerge so early in spring that they are often the first biting flies encountered by hikers each year.