Story: Sandflies and mosquitoes

Female sandfly

Female sandfly

Female sandflies feed on human blood (and that of other animals) by piercing the surface of the skin until a drop of blood forms – which they suck up. Females need blood to produce eggs, but male sandflies are vegetarian.

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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, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/14736/female-sandfly (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 24 Sep 2007