Lutzomyia Sand Fly (Whitmani) vs Mountain Prosimulium
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lutzomyia Sand Fly (Whitmani) | Mountain Prosimulium |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lutzomyia whitmani | Prosimulium mixtum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Psychodidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Mountains |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Brazil, South America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Lutzomyia Sand Fly (Whitmani)
A small sandfly that is the major vector of Leishmania braziliensis, which causes mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil. It bites at the forest edge and in peridomestic environments. The disease it transmits can cause devastating destruction of nasal and oral mucosa.
Did You Know?
Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis transmitted by this fly can destroy the nose and palate, and was depicted in pre-Columbian pottery from Peru.
Mountain Prosimulium
An early-season black fly of cold mountain streams in North America. Larvae develop in small headwater streams during late winter and early spring.
Did You Know?
Adults emerge so early in spring that they are often the first biting flies encountered by hikers each year.