Horse Stomach Bot Fly vs Painted Bee Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Horse Stomach Bot Fly | Painted Bee Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gasterophilus intestinalis | Hemipenthes morio |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Oestridae | Bombyliidae |
| Size | 12-16 mm | 7-12 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Cosmopolitan wherever horses are kept | Europe, Asia, North Africa |
| 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.
Painted Bee Fly
A dark-bodied bee fly with characteristic half-blackened wings that give it a distinctive silhouette. It is commonly seen sunbathing on bare patches of ground in warm habitats.
Did You Know?
It is a hyperparasitoid, meaning its larvae parasitize the parasites of other insects.