Latrine Fly vs Australian March Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Latrine Fly Australian March Fly
Scientific Name Fannia scalaris Bibio imitator
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Fanniidae Bibionidae
Size 5-7 mm 6-10 mm
Habitat Wetlands Woodlands
Diet Scavengers Herbivores
Regions Worldwide Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Latrine Fly

A small fly that breeds in excrement and decaying organic matter in latrines and drains. It can cause urogenital myiasis when larvae enter the urinary tract.

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Did You Know?

Its flattened, spiny larvae are among the few fly species documented to cause urinary myiasis in humans.

Australian March Fly

A robust black bibionid fly that appears in large numbers during the Australian autumn. It has a hairy body and is a sluggish flyer, often seen resting on vegetation.

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Did You Know?

Despite sharing the common name with horse flies in Australia, march flies in the family Bibionidae are completely harmless.