Insect identifier · Biting flies
How to identify a Sand fly
Lutzomyia spp.
· Also called phlebotomine, sandfly
People searching “what does a sand fly look like” or “sand fly bite” want a field ID, not a scare. Sand fly (Lutzomyia spp.) is a biting flies in this guide. Also called phlebotomine, sandfly.
A tiny bite at dusk with no mosquito in sight is usually a midge or sand fly. Describe it; don’t force a species off one welt.
What does a sand fly look like?
Sand fly is Tiny, a few millimeters. Colors people notice: tan, brown. Field marks: Tiny and hairy; Weak flight; Not a mosquito hum.
Sand fly is Tiny, a few millimeters. Colors people notice: tan, brown. Field marks: Tiny and hairy; Weak flight; Not a mosquito hum. If the marks fail, open the look-alike pages before forcing this name.
Identification marks
- Tiny and hairy
- Weak flight
- Not a mosquito hum
Size: Tiny, a few millimeters
Colors: tan, brown
Where: outdoor
What a typical sand fly bite looks like
Small itchy welts. In most of the U.S. this is itch, not a tropical disease story. Wash with soap and water Cool compress
Small itchy welts. In most of the U.S. this is itch, not a tropical disease story. Fever, spreading redness, or trouble breathing needs a clinician.
If you were bitten
- Wash with soap and water
- Cool compress
- Itch relief on intact skin only
- Seek care for fever, spreading redness, or trouble breathing
- Mention travel or a non-healing sore to a clinician
Sand fly vs No-see-um
Tiny dusk biter through screens is often a no-see-um. A hairy fly in the south-central U.S. may be a sand fly. You usually will not tell them apart on a phone.
- No-see-um identification (Culicoides spp.)
- Black fly identification (Simulium spp.)
- Chigger identification (Eutrombicula alfreddugesi)
- Drain fly identification (Psychodidae)
Range and season
Sand fly is active warm humid nights. Typical places: woods, yard. Tiny hairy flies. In the Americas some transmit leishmaniasis in limited areas. A bite is a small itchy welt. Not a no-see-um, though people mix the names.
South-central U.S. on warm nights, plus travel destinations.
Tiny hairy flies. In the Americas some transmit leishmaniasis in limited areas. A bite is a small itchy welt. Not a no-see-um, though people mix the names.
Warm humid nights
Common questions
Sand fly vs no-see-um?
People use both names for tiny biters. True sand flies are hairy phlebotomines. No-see-ums are biting midges.
Do U.S. sand flies spread disease?
Leishmaniasis risk is limited and regional. A welt alone is not a diagnosis.