New Zealand Sandfly vs Poplar Hawk-moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Sandfly | Poplar Hawk-moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Austrosimulium ungulatum | Laothoe populi |
| Order | Diptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Simuliidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 65-90 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | New Zealand, especially South Island | Europe, temperate Asia |
| 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.
Poplar Hawk-moth
A large grey-brown hawk-moth that holds its hindwings forward of the forewings at rest, creating an unusual silhouette. It is the most common hawk-moth across much of Europe.
Did You Know?
When disturbed, it reveals a rust-orange patch on its hindwings to startle predators before dropping to the ground.