Schaus Swallowtail vs Chagasi Sandfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Schaus Swallowtail Chagasi Sandfly
Scientific Name Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus Lutzomyia evansi
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Papilionidae Psychodidae
Size 83-95 mm wingspan 2-3 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Florida Keys, United States Colombia, Venezuela, northern South America
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Schaus Swallowtail

A dark swallowtail with yellow bands and rusty-brown hindwing patches restricted to hardwood hammocks of the Florida Keys. It is one of the most endangered butterflies in the United States.

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Did You Know?

After Hurricane Andrew in 1992 nearly wiped out the species, a captive breeding program at the University of Florida saved it from extinction.

Chagasi Sandfly

A small sandfly found in northern Colombia and Venezuela that is an important vector of Leishmania infantum chagasi, causing visceral leishmaniasis in the Americas. It thrives in peridomestic environments and feeds on dogs, the main reservoir host, as well as humans.

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Did You Know?

Insecticide-treated dog collars have been used to reduce visceral leishmaniasis transmission by this species by protecting the canine reservoir.