Thick-headed Fly vs European Malaria Mosquito
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Thick-headed Fly | European Malaria Mosquito |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Physocephala rufipes | Anopheles atroparvus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Conopidae | Culicidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Western and Northern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Thick-headed Fly
A wasp-mimicking fly that parasitizes bumblebees by injecting eggs into them mid-flight.
Did You Know?
Infected bumblebees bury themselves in soil where the fly larva pupates.
European Malaria Mosquito
A medium-sized Anopheles mosquito that was the principal malaria vector in northern Europe before the disease was eliminated. It breeds in brackish coastal marshes and freshwater habitats. It still exists throughout Europe and is considered a risk for malaria reintroduction with climate change.
Did You Know?
This mosquito transmitted malaria in England until the early 20th century, including in the marshlands of Kent where malaria was called 'marsh fever'.