Can Sand Flies Eat You?
WouterWhile many people think that sand flies are bugs, this is simply not true. They are not insects but crustaceans, which is why they can’t bite humans. In fact, they are closely related to lobsters and crabs. If you think that you’ve been bitten by a sand flea, you should take antihistamine tablets or creams to relieve the itch. You should also avoid scratching the sand fly’s bites, as it increases the risk of infection.
Sand fly fauna differed between Greek islands. Their diversity and richness were highest at altitudes above 100 masl, while they were lowest at altitudes between 300 and 400 masl. The study also showed that the faunas of these islands were most similar to those of mainland Turkey. Nisyros is the closest island to mainland Turkey and has the highest species richness and diversity. This makes it a transitional island between Turkey and Greece.
Sand fleas are very small and make their homes in sand. They are edible, but you should boil them before eating them. While washing may kill external debris, it only softens the hard outer shell. The taste may not be that good, but you can add spices to sand fleas to make them more appetizing to eat.
In addition to humans, some species of sand flies feed on livestock, reptiles, birds, and amphibians. Sand flies have even been known to transmit cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disfiguring protozoan disease that has become a public health concern.
