Indian Sand Fly vs Golden-tabbed Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Sand Fly | Golden-tabbed Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phlebotomus argentipes | Choerades marginatus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Psychodidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 15-22mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| 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.
Golden-tabbed Robber Fly
A large bristly brown robber fly with golden hair tufts that ambushes prey from sunny perches on logs.
Did You Know?
Sits motionless on sun-warmed logs waiting for insects to fly past, then launches with explosive speed to intercept.