Italian Acerentomid vs Caribou Bot Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Italian Acerentomid | Caribou Bot Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Acerentomon italicum | Cephenemyia jellisoni |
| Order | Protura | Diptera |
| Family | Acerentomidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 0.7-1.2 mm | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | Alaska, northern Canada, Yukon, Northwest Territories |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Italian Acerentomid
A small proturan originally described from Italian soils. It is typical of Mediterranean forest floor environments.
Did You Know?
Like all proturans, this species was completely unknown to science until Filippo Silvestri first described the order in 1907.
Caribou Bot Fly
A robust, furry fly that parasitizes caribou and deer in North America. Like its Eurasian relative, it deposits larvae near the nostrils of its host. Adults have vestigial mouthparts and survive entirely on stored energy.
Did You Know?
Infected caribou may sneeze violently to expel mature bot fly larvae from their nasal passages before the larvae pupate in the soil.