Black Blow Fly vs New Zealand Sandfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Blow Fly | New Zealand Sandfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phormia regina | Austrosimulium ungulatum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 9-13 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | North America, Europe | New Zealand, especially South Island |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Black Blow Fly
A dark metallic blow fly that is among the first insects to colonize a corpse. It is a key species in forensic entomology across North America.
Did You Know?
It can detect a dead body from over a mile away using chemoreceptors on its antennae.
New Zealand Sandfly
A small black fly endemic to New Zealand that inflicts painful bites, particularly notorious in the South Island's West Coast and Fiordland regions. Despite being called sandflies locally, they are actually black flies in the family Simuliidae. They breed in fast-flowing rivers and streams.
Did You Know?
Maori legend says the sandfly was created by the goddess Hine-nui-te-po to prevent humans from lingering too long in the beautiful Fiordlands.