sand fly
noun
variants
or sandfly
plural sand flies or sandflies
: any of various small biting dipteran flies (especially genus Phlebotomus of the family Psychodidae) see also sandfly fever
Examples of sand fly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bangladesh made history in 2023 as the first country anywhere to eliminate kala-azar, otherwise known as visceral leishmaniasis, a disease transmitted by sand flies that is 95% fatal when left untreated.
—
Charlie Campbell, TIME, 2 May 2024
The afternoon was too hot to do much of anything except avoid the sand flies and wait for sunset.
—Andrew Weil, Harper's Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023
What experts know is that there’s a sand fly population that exists in southern parts of the country, including Texas.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2023
Decisions on whether to euthanize the dog can be made guided by weighing factors like where the dog is from and the likelihood of local sand flies which might transmit the parasite.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2023
When infected by Leishmania parasites, sand flies have the ability to transmit various forms of leishmaniasis to humans.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2023
The genetic evidence suggests the disease is being spread by local sand fly populations.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 19 Oct. 2023
While bug sprays that contain DEET can repel sand flies, CNN noted that leishmaniasis treatment for those already bitten involves a month-long course with medications such as amphotericin B.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 20 Oct. 2023
The worry is that local sand flies could bite dogs that are imported from places where the parasite is common and then bite humans.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 19 Oct. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Charlie Campbell, TIME, 2 May 2024
The afternoon was too hot to do much of anything except avoid the sand flies and wait for sunset.
—Andrew Weil, Harper's Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023
What experts know is that there’s a sand fly population that exists in southern parts of the country, including Texas.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2023
Decisions on whether to euthanize the dog can be made guided by weighing factors like where the dog is from and the likelihood of local sand flies which might transmit the parasite.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2023
When infected by Leishmania parasites, sand flies have the ability to transmit various forms of leishmaniasis to humans.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2023
The genetic evidence suggests the disease is being spread by local sand fly populations.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 19 Oct. 2023
While bug sprays that contain DEET can repel sand flies, CNN noted that leishmaniasis treatment for those already bitten involves a month-long course with medications such as amphotericin B.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 20 Oct. 2023
The worry is that local sand flies could bite dogs that are imported from places where the parasite is common and then bite humans.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 19 Oct. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Sand fly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sand%20fly. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share