Great Nawab vs New Zealand Sandfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Great Nawab | New Zealand Sandfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polyura eudamippus | Austrosimulium ungulatum |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 85-110 mm wingspan | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar) and Himalayas | New Zealand, especially South Island |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Great Nawab
A large and powerful butterfly with pale green-white uppersides and richly marked brown and olive undersides. The hindwings have short pointed tails and the flight is fast and commanding.
Did You Know?
It is attracted to fermented fruit bait and will return repeatedly to the same feeding spot, making it relatively easy to observe.
New Zealand Sandfly
A small black fly endemic to New Zealand that inflicts painful bites, particularly notorious in the South Island's West Coast and Fiordland regions. Despite being called sandflies locally, they are actually black flies in the family Simuliidae. They breed in fast-flowing rivers and streams.
Did You Know?
Maori legend says the sandfly was created by the goddess Hine-nui-te-po to prevent humans from lingering too long in the beautiful Fiordlands.