Mole Flea vs Sand Gnat
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mole Flea | Sand Gnat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hystrichopsylla talpae | Culicoides furens |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Diptera |
| Family | Hystrichopsyllidae | Ceratopogonidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 1-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Wetlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Coastal Americas from the southeastern United States to Brazil |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mole Flea
The largest European flea, found on moles and other burrowing mammals.
Did You Know?
At six millimeters it is easily visible to the naked eye unlike most flea species.
Sand Gnat
A very small biting midge commonly known as a no-see-um due to its near-invisible size. Despite being barely visible, its bite is intensely painful and causes persistent itching.
Did You Know?
It is so small it can pass through standard window screens, earning the nickname no-see-um.