Lesser Cattle Grub vs Coffin Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lesser Cattle Grub Coffin Fly
Scientific Name Hypoderma lineatum Conicera tibialis
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Oestridae Phoridae
Size 11-13 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Parasites Omnivores
Regions North America, Europe, Asia Europe, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lesser Cattle Grub

A hairy, bee-like fly slightly smaller than H. bovis, whose larvae also parasitize cattle. Unlike H. bovis, its larvae migrate through the esophageal wall rather than the spinal canal. It causes significant hide damage and meat trim losses in the cattle industry.

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Did You Know?

Warble damage to cattle hides makes them unsuitable for premium leather, costing the cattle industry millions in hide value annually.

Coffin Fly

A tiny humpbacked fly capable of burrowing through soil to reach buried remains. It is of forensic importance as it can colonize remains inaccessible to other insects.

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Did You Know?

It can burrow through over a meter of soil to reach a food source below ground.