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Te ngau a te namu

Sandfly bites

Austrosimulium sp.
Sandfly bite. Image: Mariegriffiths / CC BY SA 3 0

Sandfly bite. Image: Mariegriffiths / CC BY SA 3 0

Pūtoi
Order
Diptera
Whānau
Family
Simuliidae
Show in English Te Reo

Te Rahi

  • Nā tētahi pepeke iti, e 2–3 mm te roa

Size range

Caused by 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