Indian Sand Fly vs Horse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Sand Fly | Horse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phlebotomus argentipes | Tabanus bovinus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Psychodidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 20-25 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Wetlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, particularly the Gangetic Plain) | Europe, Asia |
| 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.
Horse Fly
A large, stout fly with huge iridescent compound eyes that display rainbow patterns. Only females bite, using scissor-like mouthparts to slash skin and lap up blood.
Did You Know?
Horse fly eyes display stunning iridescent bands of color created by structural interference patterns, and scientists have used their anti-reflective eye structure to design better solar panels.