Onchocerciasis Black Fly vs Indian Sand Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Onchocerciasis Black Fly | Indian Sand Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Simulium damnosum | Phlebotomus argentipes |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Simuliidae | Psychodidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Africa | South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, particularly the Gangetic Plain) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Onchocerciasis Black Fly
The primary vector of river blindness in West and Central Africa. Larvae thrive in oxygen-rich rapids of tropical rivers.
Did You Know?
This species complex transmits the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus, which has blinded millions across Africa.
Indian Sand Fly
A tiny, hairy fly with a distinctive humpbacked appearance and large, upturned wings held erect at rest. It is the primary vector of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in the Indian subcontinent.
Did You Know?
Indoor residual spraying with DDT once nearly eliminated kala-azar from India, but the disease resurged after spraying campaigns ended.