Farmyard Midge vs New Zealand Sandfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Farmyard Midge | New Zealand Sandfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides nubeculosus | Austrosimulium ungulatum |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 2 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | New Zealand, especially South Island |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Farmyard Midge
A tiny biting midge that breeds in mud contaminated by dung or sewage. Adults suck blood from horses and cattle. Can transmit bluetongue virus and African horse sickness.
Did You Know?
Despite being only 2mm long, it is the primary vector of bluetongue virus, a devastating livestock disease.
New Zealand Sandfly
A small black fly endemic to New Zealand that inflicts painful bites, particularly notorious in the South Island's West Coast and Fiordland regions. Despite being called sandflies locally, they are actually black flies in the family Simuliidae. They breed in fast-flowing rivers and streams.
Did You Know?
Maori legend says the sandfly was created by the goddess Hine-nui-te-po to prevent humans from lingering too long in the beautiful Fiordlands.