Notch-horned Cleg vs Pigeon Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Notch-horned Cleg Pigeon Bug
Scientific Name Haematopota pluvialis Cimex columbarius
Order Diptera Hemiptera
Family Tabanidae Cimicidae
Size 8-12 mm 4-5 mm
Habitat Hedgerows Woodlands
Diet Blood Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Notch-horned Cleg

A grey horse fly with mottled wings that approaches silently before biting. It is one of the most common biting flies in Europe.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most horse flies, the cleg approaches completely silently, landing and biting before being noticed.

Pigeon Bug

A cimicid ectoparasite of pigeons and doves found in nest sites and dovecotes across Europe. It can bite humans in buildings with pigeon infestations.

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Did You Know?

Removing pigeon nests from buildings without treating for these bugs often drives them indoors to bite residents.