Sand Gnat vs Spotted-eye Hover Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sand Gnat | Spotted-eye Hover Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides furens | Eristalinus taeniops |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 1-2.5 mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Wetlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Coastal Americas from the southeastern United States to Brazil | Throughout Africa |
| 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.
Spotted-eye Hover Fly
A large hover fly with distinctively striped compound eyes and a bee-like body. It is an excellent pollinator found throughout Africa.
Did You Know?
Its larvae are rat-tailed maggots that breathe through a telescoping siphon while living in stagnant water.