Elephant Stomach Bot Fly vs European Thick-headed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Elephant Stomach Bot Fly | European Thick-headed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cobboldia elephantis | Myopa buccata |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Oestridae | Conopidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Parasites | Parasitoids |
| Regions | South and Southeast Asia | Europe |
| 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.
European Thick-headed Fly
A small reddish-brown conopid fly with a distinctively swollen face and downward-curving proboscis. It is commonly found basking on sunny tree trunks and fences in spring.
Did You Know?
It times its emergence with the spring flight period of its Andrena bee hosts, waiting on sunny surfaces to ambush them.