Tsetse Fly Identification Guide
Learn to identify the tsetse fly by its scissor-folded wings, forward-pointing proboscis, and hatchet-shaped wing cell.
Read the full Tsetse Fly encyclopedia entry →
Key Features
- Medium-sized fly, roughly 6-16mm long depending on species, with a slender, elongated body
- Brownish to grayish coloring, often with a somewhat dull, non-metallic appearance unlike many other flies
- Long, rigid, forward-pointing proboscis extending from the front of the head, visible even at rest - a key distinguishing feature
- Wings are held completely folded, one directly on top of the other, over the abdomen at rest, creating a distinctive scissor-like resting posture
- Wing venation includes a characteristic "hatchet cell" (a cell shaped like a small hatchet or cleaver), visible with close inspection or magnification
- Antennae have a feathery arista (bristle) typical of many flies, with the overall head shape elongated to accommodate the forward-pointing proboscis
Where and When to Look
- Found in sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in wooded savanna, riverine woodland, and dense vegetation along waterways
- Most active during daylight hours, particularly in warm, humid conditions
- Tends to rest in shaded vegetation and can be attracted to moving objects, dark colors, and areas near water or animal trails
- Activity levels vary by season and region, generally peaking in warmer, wetter periods
Similar-Looking Bugs
- House flies and stable flies can superficially resemble a tsetse fly in size and color, but neither holds its wings in the same fully overlapped, scissor-like position at rest, and neither has the same rigid, forward-projecting proboscis
- Horse flies are often larger and stockier, with large, often iridescent eyes and wings held out to the sides rather than folded scissor-like over the back
- Other biting flies in the genus Stomoxys have a forward-pointing proboscis as well, but lack the distinctive hatchet cell in the wing venation and typically have a more house-fly-like body pattern with dark thoracic stripes
Quick ID Checklist
- Wings folded completely over each other, scissor-style, at rest
- Long, rigid proboscis pointing straight forward from the head
- Hatchet-shaped cell visible in the wing venation
- Dull brown-gray coloring, no metallic sheen
- Found in wooded, riverine habitats within sub-Saharan Africa
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to recognize a tsetse fly at rest?
Look at the wings: tsetse flies fold them completely over one another in a scissor-like stack directly over the abdomen, which is unusual among flies.
What does the tsetse fly's proboscis look like?
It's a long, rigid, forward-pointing structure extending from the front of the head, clearly visible even when the fly is resting.
Where in the world are tsetse flies found?
They occur only in sub-Saharan Africa, typically in wooded savanna and riverine woodland habitats.
How is a tsetse fly different from a house fly?
Tsetse flies are duller in color, hold their wings folded scissor-style rather than flat, and have a rigid forward-pointing proboscis that house flies lack.