Lesser House Fly vs Chagasi Sandfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lesser House Fly Chagasi Sandfly
Scientific Name Fannia canicularis Lutzomyia evansi
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Fanniidae Psychodidae
Size 5-7 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Indoors Forests
Diet Scavengers Blood Feeders
Regions Worldwide Colombia, Venezuela, northern South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lesser House Fly

A small greyish fly often seen flying in circles beneath ceiling lights indoors. It breeds in decaying organic matter and is a secondary forensic indicator.

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Did You Know?

Males are well known for hovering in a fixed triangular flight pattern beneath indoor light fixtures.

Chagasi Sandfly

A small sandfly found in northern Colombia and Venezuela that is an important vector of Leishmania infantum chagasi, causing visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. It thrives in peridomestic environments and feeds on dogs, the main reservoir host, as well as humans.

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Did You Know?

Insecticide-treated dog collars have been used to reduce visceral leishmaniasis transmission by this species by protecting the canine reservoir.