Congo Floor Maggot Fly vs Prairie Walkingstick
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Congo Floor Maggot Fly | Prairie Walkingstick |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Auchmeromyia senegalensis | Diapheromera velii |
| Order | Diptera | Phasmatodea |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Diapheromeridae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 5-8 cm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa | United States (Central and Western) |
| 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.
Prairie Walkingstick
A grassland-dwelling walkingstick found in the central United States. Unlike forest species, it lives among grasses and low shrubs.
Did You Know?
It is one of few stick insects adapted to life in open grasslands rather than forest habitats.