Congo Floor Maggot Fly vs Tanypod Predatory Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Congo Floor Maggot Fly | Tanypod Predatory Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Auchmeromyia senegalensis | Tanypus punctipennis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Calliphoridae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 4-7 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa | North America |
| 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.
Tanypod Predatory Midge
A predatory midge whose larvae hunt other small invertebrates in soft sediments. Adults have distinctively spotted wings.
Did You Know?
Unlike most chironomids, Tanypodinae larvae are active predators with retractable head capsules for striking at prey.