Louse Fly vs False Stable Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Louse Fly False Stable Fly
Scientific Name Hippobosca equina Muscina stabulans
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Hippoboscidae Muscidae
Size 7-8 mm 7-10 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Blood Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Louse Fly

A flattened bloodsucking fly parasite of horses and cattle with powerful clawed legs for clinging to fur. Adults are incredibly tough and difficult to crush.

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Did You Know?

Its body is so tough and flattened that it can withstand being stepped on by its horse host without injury.

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.