Mountain Dance Fly vs Intermedia Sandfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mountain Dance Fly | Intermedia Sandfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Empis pennipes | Lutzomyia intermedia |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Empididae | Psychodidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm body length | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Alps, Scandinavia | Southeastern Brazil |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mountain Dance Fly
A predatory fly with feathery leg fringes used in aerial mating displays. Males offer prey gifts wrapped in silk to females during courtship.
Did You Know?
Males with the most elaborate feathered legs are preferred by females during mating swarms.
Intermedia Sandfly
A tiny sandfly found in southeastern Brazil that is a major vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Atlantic Forest regions. It thrives in peridomestic environments near deforested areas and is attracted to light. It is most active during humid nights near forest remnants.
Did You Know?
Deforestation of the Atlantic Forest has brought this sandfly into closer contact with humans, increasing leishmaniasis cases.