Wohlfahrt's Wound Fly vs Pigeon Louse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wohlfahrt's Wound Fly | Pigeon Louse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Wohlfahrtia magnifica | Pseudolynchia canariensis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Sarcophagidae | Hippoboscidae |
| Size | 9-15 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa | Cosmopolitan - worldwide wherever pigeons occur |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Wohlfahrt's Wound Fly
A large, gray flesh fly with dark spots on the abdomen that is an obligate parasite of warm-blooded animals in the Old World. Females larviposit directly into body openings (ears, nose, eyes) or wounds of sleeping humans and animals. It is a significant cause of human myiasis in Central Asia and the Middle East.
Did You Know?
It preferentially targets sleeping people, depositing larvae into the ears, nose, or eyes, causing severe tissue destruction.
Pigeon Louse Fly
A flattened, tough-bodied blood-sucking fly found on pigeons and doves worldwide. It has a leathery appearance, strong claws, and wings that allow it to move between bird hosts.
Did You Know?
It is the primary vector of pigeon malaria, a Haemoproteus blood parasite that infects domestic and wild pigeons.