Rift Valley Fever Mosquito vs Greater Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rift Valley Fever Mosquito | Greater Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aedes mcintoshi | Bombylius canescens |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Culicidae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | East and Southern Africa | Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Rift Valley Fever Mosquito
A medium-sized mosquito found in the floodplains and dambos of East Africa. It is an important primary vector of Rift Valley fever virus, maintaining the virus between epidemics through transovarial transmission. Its eggs hatch en masse after seasonal flooding of grassland depressions.
Did You Know?
Rift Valley fever virus can be passed from mother to offspring through the eggs, allowing the virus to survive dry periods for years.
Greater Bee Fly
A pale greyish bee fly with a long proboscis and clear wings. It parasitizes ground-nesting bees in arid Mediterranean habitats.
Did You Know?
It can hover motionless in the air for extended periods while probing flowers with its rigid proboscis.