Blandford Fly vs Black-winged Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blandford Fly Black-winged Damselfly
Scientific Name Simulium posticatum Calopteryx atrata
Order Diptera Odonata
Family Simuliidae Calopterygidae
Size 2-3 mm 55-68mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Blood Feeders Predators
Regions Europe Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Blandford Fly

A notorious black fly that causes severe allergic reactions with its bite around the Blandford area of Dorset. Females need blood meals for egg development. Larvae develop in clean rivers.

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Did You Know?

Named after Blandford Forum in Dorset where outbreaks of painful bites affect thousands of people each summer.

Black-winged Damselfly

A large damselfly where males have entirely black iridescent wings with a metallic blue-green body. Females have dark smoky-brown wings. It inhabits clean streams in East Asia.

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Did You Know?

In Japan it is called 'haguro-tonbo' (black-winged dragonfly) and is considered a symbol of good fortune.