Congo Floor Maggot Fly vs Drone Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Congo Floor Maggot Fly | Drone Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Auchmeromyia senegalensis | Eristalis tenax |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa | Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Congo Floor Maggot Fly
A yellowish-brown blow fly whose larvae are unique among Diptera in being temporary ectoparasites that feed on sleeping humans. Larvae live in the dirt floors of huts and emerge at night to feed on the blood of sleeping people, then retreat into the floor. Adults do not bite.
Did You Know?
It is the only known fly whose larvae feed on human blood like a bedbug, making it a unique case of larval hematophagy.
Drone Fly
A large hoverfly that is an excellent mimic of the honey bee, complete with similar coloring and buzzing flight. Its aquatic larva is known as a rat-tailed maggot due to its long breathing siphon.
Did You Know?
The rat-tailed maggot larva can breathe in heavily polluted water by extending its telescoping tail siphon up to 10 centimeters to reach the surface air.