Grain Aphid vs Nose Bot Fly of Horses

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Grain Aphid Nose Bot Fly of Horses
Scientific Name Sitobion avenae Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis
Order Hemiptera Diptera
Family Aphididae Oestridae
Size 1.5-3 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa, South America Europe, North America, Asia, North Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Grain Aphid

A major pest of cereal crops in Europe and other temperate regions. It feeds on ears and leaves, reducing grain quality and transmitting barley yellow dwarf virus.

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Did You Know?

Feeding on wheat ears during grain fill can reduce thousand-kernel weight by up to 20%.

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.