Ochraceum Black Fly vs Western Water Penny
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ochraceum Black Fly | Western Water Penny |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Simulium ochraceum | Psephenus falli |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Simuliidae | Psephenidae |
| Size | 1.5-3 mm | 4-5 mm (adults) |
| Habitat | Mountains | Mountains |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Mexico, Guatemala, southern Mexico, Central America | Western 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.
Western Water Penny
A water penny beetle restricted to clean mountain streams in western North America. Its disc-shaped larvae are indicators of high water quality.
Did You Know?
The presence of water penny larvae is used by biologists as a reliable indicator that a stream is unpolluted.