Globular Tachinid vs Nose Bot Fly of Horses

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Globular Tachinid Nose Bot Fly of Horses
Scientific Name Gymnosoma rotundatum Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Tachinidae Oestridae
Size 6-8 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Parasites Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, North America, Asia, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Globular Tachinid

A distinctive round-bodied parasitic fly colored bright orange-red with black markings. Parasitizes shieldbugs. One of the most easily recognized tachinid flies.

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Did You Know?

The unusually round, bright orange body makes this one of the most recognizable parasitic flies.

Nose Bot Fly of Horses

A dark-bodied bot fly that deposits reddish-black eggs around the lips of horses. Larvae penetrate the lip mucosa and migrate to the stomach, then before pupation they reattach to the rectal mucosa, causing irritation and inflammation. The name refers to the reddish rectal inflammation it causes.

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Did You Know?

Before pupation, larvae reattach to the horse's rectum, causing such irritation that affected horses may rub their tails raw.