Ochraceum Black Fly vs Mountain Prosimulium
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ochraceum Black Fly | Mountain Prosimulium |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Simulium ochraceum | Prosimulium mixtum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Simuliidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 1.5-3 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Mountains |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Mexico, Guatemala, southern Mexico, Central America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ochraceum Black Fly
A small orangish-brown black fly that is the principal vector of onchocerciasis in Central America and southern Mexico. It breeds in small, fast-running mountain streams. Biting activity peaks in the early morning and late afternoon in coffee-growing regions.
Did You Know?
The Americas are close to eliminating onchocerciasis thanks to mass ivermectin distribution targeting this vector's parasite.
Mountain Prosimulium
An early-season black fly of cold mountain streams in North America. Larvae develop in small headwater streams during late winter and early spring.
Did You Know?
Adults emerge so early in spring that they are often the first biting flies encountered by hikers each year.