Sand Gnat vs Scarlet Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sand Gnat | Scarlet Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides furens | Laphria flava |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 1-2.5 mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Coastal Americas from the southeastern United States to Brazil | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sand Gnat
A very small biting midge commonly known as a no-see-um due to its near-invisible size. Despite being barely visible, its bite is intensely painful and causes persistent itching.
Did You Know?
It is so small it can pass through standard window screens, earning the nickname no-see-um.
Scarlet Robber Fly
A bumblebee-mimicking robber fly covered in dense golden-yellow hair. It preys on insects visiting flowers at woodland edges.
Did You Know?
Its dense yellow pile makes it one of the most convincing bumblebee mimics among robber flies.