Hover Fly vs Peruvian Sandfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hover Fly | Peruvian Sandfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Syrphus ribesii | Phlebotomus perniciosus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Psychodidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Mediterranean basin, southern Europe, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hover Fly
A bright yellow and black banded hoverfly that is an excellent wasp mimic. It hovers motionless in sunbeams before darting to a new position with extraordinary agility.
Did You Know?
Hoverflies are the only insects besides hummingbirds and hawk-moths that can truly hover in one spot, fly backward, and fly sideways with precision.
Peruvian Sandfly
A small sandfly found across the Mediterranean basin that is the primary vector of Leishmania infantum, which causes visceral leishmaniasis in dogs and humans in southern Europe. It is also a vector of Toscana virus, which causes meningitis. It breeds in stone walls and animal shelters.
Did You Know?
Canine leishmaniasis transmitted by this fly affects millions of dogs across southern Europe and is increasingly spreading northward with climate change.