Snail-killing Fly vs Chagasi Sandfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Snail-killing Fly Chagasi Sandfly
Scientific Name Tetanocera elata Lutzomyia evansi
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Sciomyzidae Psychodidae
Size 7-10 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Wetlands Forests
Diet Predators Blood Feeders
Regions Europe, North America Colombia, Venezuela, northern South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Snail-killing Fly

A wetland fly whose larvae are specialized predators or parasitoids of land snails. It has been investigated as a biocontrol agent for pest snails.

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Did You Know?

Larvae enter the snail's shell and consume it alive over several days.

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.