Stinking Rove Beetle vs Indian Sand Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Stinking Rove Beetle | Indian Sand Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ocypus nero | Phlebotomus argentipes |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Psychodidae |
| Size | 16-25 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Omnivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Europe, Mediterranean | South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, particularly the Gangetic Plain) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Stinking Rove Beetle
A jet-black rove beetle with finely punctured elytra and a broad head. It emits a foul-smelling secretion when disturbed.
Did You Know?
Its defensive odour is produced by abdominal glands and is potent enough to deter birds and small mammals.
Indian Sand Fly
A tiny, hairy fly with a distinctive humpbacked appearance and large, upturned wings held erect at rest. It is the primary vector of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in the Indian subcontinent.
Did You Know?
Indoor residual spraying with DDT once nearly eliminated kala-azar from India, but the disease resurged after spraying campaigns ended.