Sand Fly vs Hog Louse
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sand Fly | Hog Louse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phlebotomus papatasi | Haematopinus suis |
| Order | Diptera | Phthiraptera |
| Family | Psychodidae | Haematopinidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Farmland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Africa, Asia, Europe | Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sand Fly
A tiny, hairy, yellowish fly with large dark eyes and wings held in a V-shape above the body. Females feed on blood and are the primary vectors of leishmaniasis in the Old World.
Did You Know?
Sand flies are so small they can pass through standard mosquito netting, and they fly in short silent hops rather than sustained buzzing flight.
Hog Louse
The largest louse found on domestic animals, exclusively parasitizing pigs. It feeds on blood and is most commonly found behind the ears and in skin folds.
Did You Know?
At up to 6 mm long, the hog louse is the largest sucking louse known, easily visible to the naked eye on infested pigs.