Lesser House Fly vs Tropical Book Louse

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lesser House Fly Tropical Book Louse
Scientific Name Fannia canicularis Liposcelis entomophila
Order Diptera Psocoptera
Family Fanniidae Liposcelididae
Size 5-7 mm 0.7-1.2 mm
Habitat Indoors Indoors
Diet Scavengers Fungus Feeders
Regions Worldwide Worldwide
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.

Tropical Book Louse

A cosmopolitan booklouse frequently found in insect collections and herbaria. It feeds on dead insects and dried plant specimens.

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Did You Know?

Its species name 'entomophila' means 'insect-loving,' reflecting its habit of eating pinned insect specimens.