Badger Flea vs Congo Floor Maggot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Badger Flea | Congo Floor Maggot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paraceras melis | Auchmeromyia senegalensis |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ceratophyllidae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Badger Flea
A large flea specialized to parasitize European badgers. It is found in badger setts and is one of the largest flea species in Europe.
Did You Know?
It is one of the largest fleas in the world and its size corresponds to the thick skin of its badger host.
Congo Floor Maggot Fly
A yellowish-brown blow fly whose larvae are unique among Diptera in being temporary ectoparasites that feed on sleeping humans. Larvae live in the dirt floors of huts and emerge at night to feed on the blood of sleeping people, then retreat into the floor. Adults do not bite.
Did You Know?
It is the only known fly whose larvae feed on human blood like a bedbug, making it a unique case of larval hematophagy.