Sand Martin Flea vs New Zealand Sandfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sand Martin Flea | New Zealand Sandfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ceratophyllus styx | Austrosimulium ungulatum |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ceratophyllidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | New Zealand, especially South Island |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sand Martin Flea
A flea species specific to sand martin colonies in their bank-nesting burrows. It can accumulate in large numbers in nest chambers.
Did You Know?
Colony-nesting birds like sand martins provide an ideal environment for flea population explosions in shared burrows.
New Zealand Sandfly
A small black fly endemic to New Zealand that inflicts painful bites, particularly notorious in the South Island's West Coast and Fiordland regions. Despite being called sandflies locally, they are actually black flies in the family Simuliidae. They breed in fast-flowing rivers and streams.
Did You Know?
Maori legend says the sandfly was created by the goddess Hine-nui-te-po to prevent humans from lingering too long in the beautiful Fiordlands.