Korean Malaria Mosquito vs Subarctic Flesh Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Korean Malaria Mosquito Subarctic Flesh Fly
Scientific Name Anopheles sinensis Sarcophaga nigriventris
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Culicidae Sarcophagidae
Size 4-5 mm 8-14 mm
Habitat Farmland Heathland
Diet Blood Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions East Asia, including China, Korea, Japan Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Korean Malaria Mosquito

A medium-sized mosquito with spotted wings that breeds in rice paddies across East Asia. It is a vector of Plasmodium vivax malaria in China, Korea, and Japan. It is predominantly zoophilic but will bite humans when animal hosts are unavailable.

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Did You Know?

Vivax malaria re-emerged in South Korea in the 1990s near the DMZ, transmitted by this species breeding in rice paddies.

Subarctic Flesh Fly

A medium-sized gray fly with black longitudinal stripes on the thorax and a checkered abdomen. Unlike most flies, females give birth to live larvae rather than laying eggs. Adults are found on carrion and dung.

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Did You Know?

By giving birth to live larvae that are ready to feed immediately, this fly gives its offspring a head start in the short Arctic summer.