Bristly Tachinid Fly vs Bot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bristly Tachinid Fly | Bot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nowickia ferox | Dermatobia hominis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bristly Tachinid Fly
A large, heavily bristled tachinid fly with a gray-checkered pattern on the abdomen. It is conspicuously spiny and frequently visits flowers in late summer.
Did You Know?
Its exceptionally long and stiff bristles are thought to help prevent birds from swallowing it.
Bot Fly
Parasitic fly whose larvae develop under the skin of mammals including humans. Female captures a mosquito and glues eggs to it — when the mosquito bites, body heat triggers egg hatching.
Did You Know?
The human bot fly is so devious it hijacks mosquitoes — it catches them, glues eggs to their bodies, then the eggs hatch when the mosquito lands on warm skin.