Hanging Thief Robber Fly vs Sand Gnat
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hanging Thief Robber Fly | Sand Gnat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diogmites platypterus | Culicoides furens |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Asilidae | Ceratopogonidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 1-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Wetlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Coastal Americas from the southeastern United States to Brazil |
| 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.
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.
Did You Know?
It is so small it can pass through standard window screens, earning the nickname no-see-um.