Neavei Black Fly vs Reindeer Warble Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neavei Black Fly | Reindeer Warble Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Simulium neavei | Hypoderma tarandi |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Simuliidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 13-17 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | East Africa, including Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Neavei Black Fly
A small black fly whose larvae uniquely attach to freshwater crabs rather than rocks or vegetation. It is a vector of river blindness in East Africa, particularly in forested areas. The association with crabs makes it vulnerable to control by removing the crab hosts.
Did You Know?
Eliminating the freshwater crabs that carry its larvae successfully eradicated onchocerciasis from parts of East Africa.
Reindeer Warble Fly
A stout, furry fly that parasitizes reindeer and caribou. Females dart at reindeer to lay eggs on their legs. Larvae burrow through the skin and migrate through the body, creating warble lumps under the back skin.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of this fly causes reindeer to panic and stampede, and heavy infestations can reduce a reindeer's body weight by up to 25 percent.