Horn Fly vs Bush Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Horn Fly | Bush Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haematobia irritans | Musca vetustissima |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Muscidae | Muscidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Worldwide | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Horn Fly
A small blood-feeding fly that spends almost its entire life on cattle. It clusters at the base of horns and along the back and belly.
Did You Know?
Each fly feeds up to 40 times daily, and infestations of thousands per animal cause severe weight loss.
Bush Fly
Australia's most iconic nuisance fly, swarming around faces to feed on moisture. It breeds in cattle dung across the Australian outback.
Did You Know?
The classic 'Aussie salute' — waving a hand in front of the face — exists because of this fly.