Alpine Soldierfly vs Nose Bot Fly of Horses
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alpine Soldierfly | Nose Bot Fly of Horses |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oxycera morrisii | Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Stratiomyidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 5-7 mm body length | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | British Isles, Alps, Northern Europe | Europe, North America, Asia, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Alpine Soldierfly
A small, brightly patterned soldierfly found near mountain springs and seepages. Its larvae develop in calcareous spring water at high elevations.
Did You Know?
Its larvae encrust themselves with calcium carbonate from the mineral-rich spring water.
Nose Bot Fly of Horses
A dark-bodied bot fly that deposits reddish-black eggs around the lips of horses. Larvae penetrate the lip mucosa and migrate to the stomach, then before pupation they reattach to the rectal mucosa, causing irritation and inflammation. The name refers to the reddish rectal inflammation it causes.
Did You Know?
Before pupation, larvae reattach to the horse's rectum, causing such irritation that affected horses may rub their tails raw.