Japanese Robber Fly vs Peruvian Sandfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Robber Fly | Peruvian Sandfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cophinopoda chinensis | Phlebotomus perniciosus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Asilidae | Psychodidae |
| Size | 20-30 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | East Asia | Mediterranean basin, southern Europe, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Japanese Robber Fly
A large East Asian robber fly with powerful raptorial legs. It preys on cicadas and large beetles in montane forests.
Did You Know?
It is one of the few flies capable of overpowering and killing adult cicadas.
Peruvian Sandfly
A small sandfly found across the Mediterranean basin that is the primary vector of Leishmania infantum, which causes visceral leishmaniasis in dogs and humans in southern Europe. It is also a vector of Toscana virus, which causes meningitis. It breeds in stone walls and animal shelters.
Did You Know?
Canine leishmaniasis transmitted by this fly affects millions of dogs across southern Europe and is increasingly spreading northward with climate change.