Black-Tailed Deer Fly vs Hedgehog Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black-Tailed Deer Fly | Hedgehog Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysops niger | Archaeopsylla erinacei |
| Order | Diptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Pulicidae |
| Size | 7-10 mm | 2-3.5 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Northeastern United States and southeastern Canada | Europe, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Black-Tailed Deer Fly
A small dark deer fly with mostly blackened wings and green iridescent eyes. It is an aggressive daytime biter commonly encountered near wooded wetlands.
Did You Know?
It is most active during overcast humid days and tends to bite repeatedly if swatted away without being killed.
Hedgehog Flea
A large flea specific to European hedgehogs and one of the most abundant fleas in Western Europe. A single hedgehog can harbor hundreds.
Did You Know?
Hedgehogs are so commonly infested that an average individual carries about 100 of these fleas.