Horse Stomach Bot Fly vs Microcaddisfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Horse Stomach Bot Fly | Microcaddisfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gasterophilus intestinalis | Hydroptila sparsa |
| Order | Diptera | Trichoptera |
| Family | Oestridae | Hydroptilidae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 3-4 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan wherever horses are kept | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Horse Stomach Bot Fly
A bee-like fly that glues eggs to horse leg hairs where they are ingested during grooming. Larvae attach to the stomach lining and develop for months before passing out.
Did You Know?
Larvae survive the acidic horse stomach by secreting a protective alkaline buffer around themselves.
Microcaddisfly
One of the smallest caddisflies, with adults only 3-4 mm long. Larvae build tiny purse-shaped cases from silk and algae on submerged rocks.
Did You Know?
Microcaddisfly larvae build a new case for each instar, and their final pupal case is so small it is barely visible to the naked eye.