Chigoe Flea vs Giant African Antlion
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Chigoe Flea | Giant African Antlion |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tunga penetrans | Palpares speciosus |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Neuroptera |
| Family | Tungidae | Myrmeleontidae |
| Size | 1 mm | 100-130 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Africa, South America, Central America | Southern Africa, East Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Chigoe Flea
A tiny tropical flea whose fertilized females burrow into the skin of the feet, causing painful swelling called tungiasis. It is the smallest known flea.
Did You Know?
The female chigoe flea swells to the size of a pea after burrowing into skin, growing to nearly 100 times her unfed volume.
Giant African Antlion
A massive African antlion with strikingly marked black-and-yellow wings. One of the largest neuropteran insects in the world.
Did You Know?
It is among the largest living neuropterans, with some individuals exceeding 13 cm in wingspan.