Sandfly

Sandfly (or sand fly) is a colloquial name for any species or genus of flying, biting, blood-sucking dipteran encountered in sandy areas. In the United States, sandfly may refer to certain horse flies that are also known as "greenheads" (family Tabanidae), or to members of the family Ceratopogonidae, also known in Florida and elsewhere as "no-see-ums" or "biting midges". In the various sorts of sandfly only a small proportion of the species are known to be vectors of disease.

Description

Sandflies are about 1/8th of an inch long, and have hairy bodies and wings, unlike mosquitoes, which have smooth bodies and wings. Sandflies are usually found in (but not limited to) humid and tropical regions of the world, including the United States.

Diseases

Sandflies are known to be vectors of several types of diseases, including Leishmaniasis, Sandfly fever, Pappataci fever, and Carrion's disease. These diseases are transmitted through the bite of a female sandfly, which requires blood for her eggs.

Prevention and control

Prevention of sandfly bites includes personal protection measures such as wearing long-sleeved clothing and applying insect repellent. In areas where sandfly populations are high, insecticide spraying may be conducted to control the sandfly population.

See also

• Leishmaniasis
• Sandfly fever
• Pappataci fever
• Carrion's disease

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