Tsetse Fly (Forest) vs West African Tiger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tsetse Fly (Forest) | West African Tiger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Glossina palpalis | Megacephala megacephala |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Glossinidae | Cicindelidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Africa | West Africa (Senegal, Guinea, Nigeria, Ghana) |
| 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.
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.
West African Tiger Beetle
A large, nocturnal tiger beetle with a broad head and powerful mandibles. The body is dark brown to black with subtle metallic reflections. It is a fast runner that hunts other insects on sandy ground at night.
Did You Know?
Tiger beetles are among the fastest running insects, capable of sprinting so fast they temporarily go blind and must stop to re-orient.