Hanging Thief Robber Fly vs Longipalpis Sandfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hanging Thief Robber Fly | Longipalpis Sandfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diogmites platypterus | Lutzomyia longipalpis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Asilidae | Psychodidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Underground |
| Diet | Herbivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Central and South America, Mexico to Argentina |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hanging Thief Robber Fly
A slender, elongate robber fly that hangs from vegetation by its front legs while feeding. It has long dangling legs and a distinctive hunting posture unlike most other asilids.
Did You Know?
It earns its name by dangling from a single leg while consuming prey, freeing the other legs for handling food.
Longipalpis Sandfly
A small, pale-brown sandfly that is the most important vector of visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. Males produce sex pheromones from glands on the abdomen to attract females. It breeds in organic-rich soil around chicken coops and animal shelters.
Did You Know?
Males produce terpene pheromones that attract females, and different populations produce different pheromones, suggesting cryptic species.