Australian Malaria Mosquito vs American Horse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Malaria Mosquito | American Horse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anopheles farauti | Tabanus americanus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 20-28 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, northern Australia | Eastern and central United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Australian Malaria Mosquito
A pale-winged Anopheles mosquito that is the dominant malaria vector in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. It breeds in brackish water as well as fresh water, giving it access to coastal habitats. It bites both indoors and outdoors, making vector control challenging.
Did You Know?
Its ability to breed in both salt and fresh water gives it access to coastal habitats where most Anopheles cannot survive.
American Horse Fly
One of the largest horse flies in North America with a dark brown body and conspicuous green or purple iridescent eyes. Females deliver a painful slashing bite to obtain blood meals.
Did You Know?
Its knife-like mouthparts slice open skin rather than piercing it, which is why horse fly bites bleed so freely.