Blandford Fly vs Xya Pygmy Mole Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blandford Fly | Xya Pygmy Mole Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Simulium posticatum | Xya pfaendleri |
| Order | Diptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Simuliidae | Tridactylidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Southern Europe, Mediterranean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blandford Fly
A notorious black fly that causes severe allergic reactions with its bite around the Blandford area of Dorset. Females need blood meals for egg development. Larvae develop in clean rivers.
Did You Know?
Named after Blandford Forum in Dorset where outbreaks of painful bites affect thousands of people each summer.
Xya Pygmy Mole Cricket
A minute European pygmy mole cricket typically found on bare sandy ground near rivers. It is so small it is often confused with a small beetle.
Did You Know?
It has tiny paddle-shaped appendages on its hind legs that serve as hydrofoils for skipping across water surfaces.