Common House Fly vs Ochraceum Black Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common House Fly | Ochraceum Black Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Musca domestica | Simulium ochraceum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Muscidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 1.5-3 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Mountains |
| Diet | Omnivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide | Mexico, Guatemala, southern Mexico, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common House Fly
One of the most widely distributed insects on Earth. Can taste with their feet, which have chemoreceptors. Capable of rapid reproduction with complete lifecycle in 7-10 days.
Did You Know?
House flies taste with their feet — they have over 100 taste receptors on each foot and can detect sugar just by landing on a surface.
Ochraceum Black Fly
A small orangish-brown black fly that is the principal vector of onchocerciasis in Central America and southern Mexico. It breeds in small, fast-running mountain streams. Biting activity peaks in the early morning and late afternoon in coffee-growing regions.
Did You Know?
The Americas are close to eliminating onchocerciasis thanks to mass ivermectin distribution targeting this vector's parasite.