Congo Floor Maggot Fly vs Fruit Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Congo Floor Maggot Fly | Fruit Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Auchmeromyia senegalensis | Drosophila melanogaster |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Drosophilidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa | Worldwide |
| 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.
Fruit Fly
The most studied organism in genetics. Six Nobel Prizes have been awarded for research on this tiny fly. 75% of human disease genes have recognizable matches in its genome.
Did You Know?
The fruit fly shares 60% of its DNA with humans and 75% of human disease genes have a match in the fruit fly genome — making it invaluable for medical research.