New Zealand Sandfly vs Common Water Penny
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Sandfly | Common Water Penny |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Austrosimulium ungulatum | Psephenus herricki |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Simuliidae | Psephenidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 4-6 mm (adults); 6-10 mm (larvae) |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | New Zealand, especially South Island | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
New Zealand Sandfly
A small black fly endemic to New Zealand that inflicts painful bites, particularly notorious in the South Island's West Coast and Fiordland regions. Despite being called sandflies locally, they are actually black flies in the family Simuliidae. They breed in fast-flowing rivers and streams.
Did You Know?
Maori legend says the sandfly was created by the goddess Hine-nui-te-po to prevent humans from lingering too long in the beautiful Fiordlands.
Common Water Penny
A small aquatic beetle whose larvae are flattened and round like a copper penny, clinging to rocks in fast streams. Adults are terrestrial and short-lived.
Did You Know?
Larvae are so flat they can cling to rocks in torrential currents that would wash away most other insects.