Dingy Arctic Fritillary vs Horse Stomach Bot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Dingy Arctic Fritillary | Horse Stomach Bot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Boloria improba | Gasterophilus intestinalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 26-32 mm wingspan | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, Svalbard, Arctic Russia, Alaska, Canadian Arctic | Cosmopolitan wherever horses are kept |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Dingy Arctic Fritillary
One of the smallest Arctic fritillaries with dull orange-brown wings and dark markings. The underside is mottled brown and gray with a mossy, cryptic appearance. It has a weak, fluttering flight close to the ground.
Did You Know?
This butterfly is so rare and localized that some populations consist of fewer than 100 individuals on isolated mountain summits.
Horse Stomach Bot Fly
A bee-like fly that glues eggs to horse leg hairs where they are ingested during grooming. Larvae attach to the stomach lining and develop for months before passing out.
Did You Know?
Larvae survive the acidic horse stomach by secreting a protective alkaline buffer around themselves.