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Story: Sandflies and mosquitoes

Female sandfly

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Female sandfly

Female sandflies seek out a blood meal, and then lay their eggs on stones or plants at or just below the surface of swiftly flowing water – and the cycle starts again. The average cycle from egg-laying to adults lasts about six to seven weeks.

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Landcare Research – Manaaki Whenua

by D. W. Helmore

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How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Sandflies and mosquitoes – Sandflies: New Zealand’s blackflies, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/15352/female-sandfly (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 1 March 2009.