Acorn Moth vs Throat Bot Fly of Horses

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Acorn Moth Throat Bot Fly of Horses
Scientific Name Blastobasis glandulella Gasterophilus nasalis
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Blastobasidae Oestridae
Size 15–22 mm wingspan 11-15 mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Eastern North America Worldwide wherever horses are kept
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Acorn Moth

A small moth whose larvae bore into and consume the contents of acorns on the forest floor. It is common in oak woodlands across eastern North America.

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Did You Know?

In heavy infestation years, it can destroy over half the acorn crop on the forest floor.

Throat Bot Fly of Horses

A yellowish-brown bot fly that lays eggs under the jaw of horses. Larvae migrate to the area between the teeth and gums before traveling to the pyloric region of the stomach and duodenum. It is one of the most common horse bot flies worldwide.

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Did You Know?

Unlike other horse bots, this species' larvae prefer the duodenum over the stomach, a unique niche among Gasterophilus species.