sand fly  sand fly,  any insect of the family Phlebotomidae
(sometimes considered part of the family Psychodidae) of the
order Diptera. The aquatic larvae live in the intertidal zone of
coastal beaches, in mud, or in wet organic debris.  Sand flies
are of considerable medical importance: around the Mediterranean
and in southern Asia, Phlebotomus transmits the pappataci fever
virus; and in parts of South America, Africa, and Asia it
carries the protozoan parasites causing kala azar, Oriental
sore, espundia, and bartonellosis. The name sand fly is also
used for certain species of the black fly and biting midge
(qq.v) families.