Tsetse Fly (Forest) vs Japanese Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tsetse Fly (Forest) Japanese Robber Fly
Scientific Name Glossina palpalis Cophinopoda chinensis
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Glossinidae Asilidae
Size 8-14 mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Blood Feeders Predators
Regions Africa East Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Tsetse Fly (Forest)

A major vector of African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). Unique among flies for giving live birth to a single large larva nourished internally with a milk-like substance.

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Did You Know?

The tsetse fly nourishes its single developing larva with a milk gland — this is the closest any insect comes to mammalian lactation and pregnancy.

Japanese Robber Fly

A large East Asian robber fly with powerful raptorial legs. It preys on cicadas and large beetles in montane forests.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few flies capable of overpowering and killing adult cicadas.