Verrucarum Sandfly vs Asian Multicolored Lady Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Verrucarum Sandfly | Asian Multicolored Lady Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lutzomyia verrucarum | Harmonia axyridis |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Psychodidae | Coccinellidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Peru, Andean valleys of South America | East Asia; invasive worldwide |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Verrucarum Sandfly
A small sandfly found in the inter-Andean valleys of Peru, serving as the vector of Bartonella bacilliformis, which causes Carrion's disease (Oroya fever and verruga peruana). It is active at dusk and night at altitudes between 800 and 3,000 meters.
Did You Know?
Carrion's disease killed thousands of workers during construction of the Lima-La Oroya railway in the 1870s.
Asian Multicolored Lady Beetle
A highly variable ladybird ranging from orange with many spots to solid black. Originally released for biocontrol, it is now invasive worldwide.
Did You Know?
It aggregates in enormous numbers on buildings in autumn, sometimes numbering in the thousands.