Large Turkey Louse vs Throat Bot Fly of Horses
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Turkey Louse | Throat Bot Fly of Horses |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chelopistes meleagridis | Gasterophilus nasalis |
| Order | Phthiraptera | Diptera |
| Family | Philopteridae | Oestridae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 11-15 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America, Europe | Worldwide wherever horses are kept |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Large Turkey Louse
The largest louse found on domestic turkeys, feeding on feather material. It prefers the breast and thigh feathers of its host.
Did You Know?
Benjamin Franklin studied this louse while advocating for the turkey as America's national bird.
Throat Bot Fly of Horses
A yellowish-brown bot fly that lays eggs under the jaw of horses. Larvae migrate to the area between the teeth and gums before traveling to the pyloric region of the stomach and duodenum. It is one of the most common horse bot flies worldwide.
Did You Know?
Unlike other horse bots, this species' larvae prefer the duodenum over the stomach, a unique niche among Gasterophilus species.