Elephant Stomach Bot Fly vs Arctic Louse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Elephant Stomach Bot Fly | Arctic Louse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cobboldia elephantis | Ornithomya fringillina |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Oestridae | Hippoboscidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasites |
| Regions | South and Southeast Asia | Scandinavia, northern Russia, subarctic Canada, Alaska |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Elephant Stomach Bot Fly
A rare bot fly whose larvae develop in the stomachs of Asian elephants. Females lay eggs around the mouth of the elephant, and larvae migrate to the stomach. It is one of only a few bot flies specialized on elephants, and its biology is poorly understood.
Did You Know?
It is one of the largest and rarest bot flies, and wild specimens are extremely difficult to collect due to their association with elephants.
Arctic Louse Fly
A flattened, wingless or short-winged parasitic fly that lives among the feathers of Arctic birds. Its laterally flattened body allows it to move easily through plumage. Adults have strong claws for gripping feathers.
Did You Know?
These flies can survive being transported thousands of kilometers on migratory birds from the Arctic to their wintering grounds.