Editing Sandfly (section)

{{short description|Name of several types of blood-sucking fly}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect-synonym|Sandflea|[[Tunga penetrans]] or members of the family [[Talitridae]]}}
{{More citations needed |date=June 2011}}

'''Sandfly''' or '''sand fly''' is a colloquial name for any species or [[genus]] of flying, biting, [[blood-sucking]] [[diptera]]n (fly) encountered in sandy areas. In the [[United States]], ''sandfly'' may refer to certain [[horse fly|horse flies]] that are also known as "greenheads" (family ''[[Horse-fly|Tabanidae]]''), or to members of the family ''[[Ceratopogonidae]]''. The bites usually result in a small, intensely itchy bump or welt, the strength of which intensifies over a period of 5-7 days before dissipating. Sandfly bites can be distinguished from mosquito bites as sandfly bite are usually found in clusters as they attack animals in groups.<ref>https://www.sciencing.com/difference-between-mosquito-sand-fly-bites-11368299/1 The difference between sandfly and mosquito bites. ''www.sciencing.com'' 
. Retrieved on 2024-11-10.</ref> Moderate relief is achieved with varying success through the application of over-the-counter products such as [[Benadryl]] (ingested) or an [[analgesic]] cream such as [[After Bite]] (applied topically).  Outside the United States, ''sandfly'' may refer to members of the subfamily [[Phlebotominae]] within the [[Psychodidae]]. Biting midges ([[Ceratopogonidae]]) are sometimes called sandflies or no-see-ums (no-see-em, noseeum). [[New Zealand]] sandflies are in the genus of sand fly  ''[[Austrosimulium]]'', a type of [[black fly]].<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/sandflies-and-mosquitoes/1 Sandflies and mosquitoes – Sandflies: New Zealand's blackflies]. ''Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand'' (2009-03-01). Retrieved on 2011-06-15.</ref>

In the various sorts of sandfly only the female is responsible for biting and sucking the blood of mammals, reptiles and birds; the protein in the blood is necessary for the production of eggs, making the sandfly an [[anautogenous]] reproducer.

Some sandfly genera of the subfamily Phlebotominae are the primary vectors of [[leishmaniasis]] and [[pappataci fever]]; both diseases are confusingly referred to as sandfly fever. In Asia, Africa, and Europe, leishmaniasis is spread by sand flies of the genus ''[[Phlebotomus]]''; in the Americas, the disease is spread by sandflies of the genus ''[[Lutzomyia]]''. [[Belize]] and [[Honduras]] are notorious in the [[Caribbean]] for their sandfly populations and travel pages frequently warn tourists to bring bug spray containing high concentrations of [[DEET]].
[[File:Biting sandfly.jpg |thumb|New Zealand sandfly biting a human's thumb]]