Indian Sand Fly vs Silvestri's Jumping Bristletail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Sand Fly | Silvestri's Jumping Bristletail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phlebotomus argentipes | Pedetontus silvestrii |
| Order | Diptera | Archaeognatha |
| Family | Psychodidae | Machilidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, particularly the Gangetic Plain) | Japan, East 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.
Silvestri's Jumping Bristletail
A well-studied bristletail from Japan and eastern Asia. Recent molecular studies have revealed cryptic species within this lineage.
Did You Know?
Molecular studies have revealed it may actually be a complex of several cryptic species.