Farmyard Midge vs Bot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Farmyard Midge | Bot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides nubeculosus | Dermatobia hominis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 2 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Forests |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Europe | Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Farmyard Midge
A tiny biting midge that breeds in mud contaminated by dung or sewage. Adults suck blood from horses and cattle. Can transmit bluetongue virus and African horse sickness.
Did You Know?
Despite being only 2mm long, it is the primary vector of bluetongue virus, a devastating livestock disease.
Bot Fly
Parasitic fly whose larvae develop under the skin of mammals including humans. Female captures a mosquito and glues eggs to it — when the mosquito bites, body heat triggers egg hatching.
Did You Know?
The human bot fly is so devious it hijacks mosquitoes — it catches them, glues eggs to their bodies, then the eggs hatch when the mosquito lands on warm skin.