New Zealand Sandfly vs Yellow Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Sandfly | Yellow Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Austrosimulium ungulatum | Diachlorus ferrugatus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Simuliidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | New Zealand, especially South Island | Southeastern North America, Central 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.
Yellow Fly
A medium-sized yellowish horse fly notorious for its aggressive biting. It is particularly abundant in the coastal southeastern United States.
Did You Know?
It is considered one of the most painful biting flies in the southeastern United States.