Six-spot Burnet vs Brevipalpis Tsetse Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Six-spot Burnet Brevipalpis Tsetse Fly
Scientific Name Zygaena filipendulae Glossina brevipalpis
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Zygaenidae Glossinidae
Size 30-40 mm wingspan 12-16 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Beaches & Coastal
Diet Predators Blood Feeders
Regions Europe, western Asia East Africa (Kenya coast, Tanzania, Uganda)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Six-spot Burnet

A day-flying moth with metallic blue-black forewings bearing six crimson spots. Its bright colours warn predators of its cyanide-based chemical defences.

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Did You Know?

Both the larvae and adults contain hydrogen cyanide, making them highly toxic to predators.

Brevipalpis Tsetse Fly

The largest species of tsetse fly, with a robust body and short palps from which its name derives. It inhabits thicket and coastal bush habitats.

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Did You Know?

Despite its large size, it is a relatively weak vector of trypanosomiasis compared to other tsetse species.