Sandfly feeding on human hand. Image: Phil Bendle Collection, CitSciHub.nz
- Pūtoi
- Order
- Diptera
- Whānau
- Family
- Simuliidae
Te Rahi
- He pepeke iti, e 2–3 mm te roa.
Size range
- Small insects, 2–3 mm long
Te Tītaringa
- He momo māori e kitea ana puta noa i Aotearoa.
Distribution
- Native species found throughout New Zealand
Te Huringa Ora
- Ka whakaputa uri ki ngā rerenga wai, ko ngā torongū ka mau atu ki te tipu, ki te toka rānei.
- Ka hītaria mai e ngā torongū he kai mā rātou i te ia o te wai.
- Kia pakeke, kua ngongo ngā uwha i ngā toto o te tangata, o te kararehe whāngote me te manu.
Life history
- Breed in running water, where the larvae are attached to plants or rocks
- Larvae sieve food particles from water current
- Adult females suck blood of birds and mammals
