Indian Sand Fly vs Drone Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Sand Fly | Drone Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phlebotomus argentipes | Eristalis tenax |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Psychodidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 14-18 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, particularly the Gangetic Plain) | Europe, Asia, North America, Oceania |
| 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.
Drone Fly
A large hoverfly that is an excellent mimic of the honey bee, complete with similar coloring and buzzing flight. Its aquatic larva is known as a rat-tailed maggot due to its long breathing siphon.
Did You Know?
The rat-tailed maggot larva can breathe in heavily polluted water by extending its telescoping tail siphon up to 10 centimeters to reach the surface air.