Bristly Tachinid Fly vs Nose Bot Fly of Horses
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bristly Tachinid Fly | Nose Bot Fly of Horses |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nowickia ferox | Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Europe, North America, Asia, North Africa |
| 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.
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.