Indian Sand Fly vs Dance Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Sand Fly | Dance Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phlebotomus argentipes | Empis tessellata |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Psychodidae | Empididae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Hedgerows |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, particularly the Gangetic Plain) | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Indian Sand Fly
A tiny, hairy fly with a distinctive humpbacked appearance and large, upturned wings held erect at rest. It is the primary vector of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in the Indian subcontinent.
Did You Know?
Indoor residual spraying with DDT once nearly eliminated kala-azar from India, but the disease resurged after spraying campaigns ended.
Dance Fly
A predatory fly in which males present silk-wrapped insect prey as nuptial gifts to females. Mating swarms form elaborate aerial dances over landmarks.
Did You Know?
Some males cheat by wrapping inedible items or empty silk balloons to trick females into mating.