Common Moth Fly vs Caribou Bot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Moth Fly | Caribou Bot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psychoda alternata | Cephenemyia jellisoni |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Psychodidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Detritivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan | Alaska, northern Canada, Yukon, Northwest Territories |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Moth Fly
A tiny grayish moth fly with broad, hairy wings giving it a distinctly moth-like appearance. Its wings are held flat over the body at rest, and it runs in short hops when disturbed.
Did You Know?
Moth flies are important components of sewage treatment trickling filter beds where their larvae help break down waste.
Caribou Bot Fly
A robust, furry fly that parasitizes caribou and deer in North America. Like its Eurasian relative, it deposits larvae near the nostrils of its host. Adults have vestigial mouthparts and survive entirely on stored energy.
Did You Know?
Infected caribou may sneeze violently to expel mature bot fly larvae from their nasal passages before the larvae pupate in the soil.