Tumbu Fly vs African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tumbu Fly African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Cordylobia anthropophaga Dorylomimus kohli
Order Diptera Coleoptera
Family Calliphoridae Staphylinidae
Size 9-12 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Indoors Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Central Africa, West Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Tumbu Fly

An African blow fly whose larvae cause furuncular myiasis in humans and animals. Females lay eggs on soil or clothing hung out to dry.

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Did You Know?

Ironing clothes thoroughly after drying them outdoors kills the eggs and prevents skin infestation.

African Myrmecophile Rove Beetle

A rove beetle that lives with army ant colonies in tropical Africa, mimicking the ants in body shape. It travels with the nomadic ant colony during emigrations.

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Did You Know?

Its body shape so closely mimics that of its host ants that it was initially described as an ant rather than a beetle.