Rift Valley Fever Mosquito vs Ruddy Darter
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Rift Valley Fever Mosquito | Ruddy Darter |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aedes mcintoshi | Sympetrum sanguineum |
| Order | Diptera | Odonata |
| Family | Culicidae | Libellulidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 34-39mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | East and Southern Africa | Europe, 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.
Ruddy Darter
A small dragonfly where mature males turn deep blood-red with a distinctly club-shaped abdomen. Females remain golden-yellow. It has entirely black legs unlike similar species.
Did You Know?
Pairs mate in flight, forming a heart-shaped wheel, then the female flicks eggs onto water while still attached to the male.