Horse Sucking Louse vs False Stable Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Horse Sucking Louse False Stable Fly
Scientific Name Haematopinus asini Muscina stabulans
Order Phthiraptera Diptera
Family Haematopinidae Muscidae
Size 2.5-3.5 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Blood Feeders Predators
Regions Worldwide Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Horse Sucking Louse

A large blood-sucking louse found on horses, donkeys, and mules. It prefers areas with long hair such as the mane, forelock, and tail base.

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Did You Know?

Infested horses develop a rough, dull coat and the constant irritation can cause significant weight loss.

False Stable Fly

A robust fly resembling a large house fly with reddish-yellow patches at the wing base. Larvae can be facultative predators of other fly larvae.

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Did You Know?

Its predatory larvae sometimes consume house fly larvae, making it an accidental biocontrol agent.