Margined Leatherwing vs Peruvian Sandfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Margined Leatherwing Peruvian Sandfly
Scientific Name Chauliognathus marginatus Phlebotomus perniciosus
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Cantharidae Psychodidae
Size 9-12 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Mediterranean basin, southern Europe, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Margined Leatherwing

An early-summer soldier beetle found across eastern North America with yellow elytra edged in dark margins. It visits a wide variety of flowers.

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Did You Know?

Unlike the similar goldenrod soldier beetle, this species appears in late spring rather than autumn.

Peruvian Sandfly

A small sandfly found across the Mediterranean basin that is the primary vector of Leishmania infantum, which causes visceral leishmaniasis in dogs and humans in southern Europe. It is also a vector of Toscana virus, which causes meningitis. It breeds in stone walls and animal shelters.

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Did You Know?

Canine leishmaniasis transmitted by this fly affects millions of dogs across southern Europe and is increasingly spreading northward with climate change.