Australian Malaria Mosquito vs Peruvian Sandfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Malaria Mosquito | Peruvian Sandfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anopheles farauti | Phlebotomus perniciosus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Psychodidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, northern Australia | Mediterranean basin, southern Europe, North Africa |
| 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.
Peruvian Sandfly
A small sandfly found across the Mediterranean basin that is the primary vector of Leishmania infantum, which causes visceral leishmaniasis in dogs and humans in southern Europe. It is also a vector of Toscana virus, which causes meningitis. It breeds in stone walls and animal shelters.
Did You Know?
Canine leishmaniasis transmitted by this fly affects millions of dogs across southern Europe and is increasingly spreading northward with climate change.