Rabbit Flea vs Dark Giant Horse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rabbit Flea | Dark Giant Horse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Spilopsyllus cuniculi | Tabanus sudeticus |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Diptera |
| Family | Pulicidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 1.5-2 mm | 22-28 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Northern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Rabbit Flea
A flea specific to European rabbits with a remarkable reproductive strategy tied to its host. It can transmit myxomatosis between rabbits.
Did You Know?
Rabbit flea reproduction is controlled by rabbit hormones — the flea can only breed when feeding on a pregnant doe near the time of birth.
Dark Giant Horse Fly
The largest horse fly in the British Isles, dark brown with a robust build. Females deliver an extremely painful bite to livestock and humans.
Did You Know?
Its bite is considered the most painful of any European fly species.