Sand Fly vs Long-Palped Crane Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sand Fly Long-Palped Crane Fly
Scientific Name Phlebotomus papatasi Dicranota bimaculata
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Psychodidae Pediciidae
Size 2-3 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Caves Rivers & Streams
Diet Blood Feeders Predators
Regions Africa, Asia, Europe Europe
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.

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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.

Long-Palped Crane Fly

A short-bodied crane fly whose predatory larvae inhabit gravel beds of clean streams. Larvae are active hunters among cobble interstices.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most crane fly larvae, this species is an active predator rather than a detritivore.