Intermedia Sandfly vs High-altitude Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Intermedia Sandfly	High-altitude Midge
Scientific Name	Lutzomyia intermedia	Diamesa latitarsis
Order	Diptera	Diptera
Family	Psychodidae	Chironomidae
Size	2-3 mm	2-4 mm body length
Habitat	Forests	Mountains
Diet	Blood Feeders	Omnivores
Regions	Southeastern Brazil	Alps, Carpathians, Scandinavia
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Intermedia Sandfly

A tiny sandfly found in southeastern Brazil that is a major vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Atlantic Forest regions. It thrives in peridomestic environments near deforested areas and is attracted to light. It is most active during humid nights near forest remnants.

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Did You Know?

Deforestation of the Atlantic Forest has brought this sandfly into closer contact with humans, increasing leishmaniasis cases.

High-altitude Midge

A small, dark midge whose larvae inhabit the coldest alpine streams. It has unusually broad tarsi adapted for walking on wet rocks.

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Did You Know?

Its broad feet allow it to grip wet rocks in fast-flowing glacial streams.