Glossina Austeni Tsetse Fly vs Louse Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Glossina Austeni Tsetse Fly Louse Fly
Scientific Name Glossina austeni Hippobosca equina
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Glossinidae Hippoboscidae
Size 7-10 mm 7-8 mm
Habitat Forests Farmland
Diet Blood Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Coastal East Africa, from Kenya to Mozambique Europe, Asia, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Glossina Austeni Tsetse Fly

A small, dark-colored tsetse fly found in coastal forests and thickets of East Africa. It is a vector of both human and animal trypanosomiasis in coastal regions. It was successfully eradicated from the island of Unguja (Zanzibar) using the sterile insect technique in 1997.

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Did You Know?

Its eradication from Zanzibar using sterile males released from aircraft was the first successful elimination of a tsetse species from an island.

Louse Fly

A flattened bloodsucking fly parasite of horses and cattle with powerful clawed legs for clinging to fur. Adults are incredibly tough and difficult to crush.

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Did You Know?

Its body is so tough and flattened that it can withstand being stepped on by its horse host without injury.