Hairy Maggot Blow Fly vs Sand Gnat

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hairy Maggot Blow Fly Sand Gnat
Scientific Name Chrysomya rufifacies Culicoides furens
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Calliphoridae Ceratopogonidae
Size 9-12 mm 1-2.5 mm
Habitat Forests Wetlands
Diet Predators Blood Feeders
Regions Australia, Asia, Americas Coastal Americas from the southeastern United States to Brazil
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Hairy Maggot Blow Fly

A blow fly whose larvae have distinctive fleshy projections giving them a hairy appearance. Its predatory larvae feed on other maggot species on carrion.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae are facultatively predatory and will cannibalize other maggot species sharing the same carcass.

Sand Gnat

A very small biting midge commonly known as a no-see-um due to its near-invisible size. Despite being barely visible, its bite is intensely painful and causes persistent itching.

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Did You Know?

It is so small it can pass through standard window screens, earning the nickname no-see-um.