Louse Fly vs Gladiolus Thrips

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Louse Fly Gladiolus Thrips
Scientific Name Hippobosca equina Thrips simplex
Order Diptera Thysanoptera
Family Hippoboscidae Thripidae
Size 7-8 mm 1.2-1.5 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Blood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia, Africa Africa, Europe, North America, South 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.

Gladiolus Thrips

A specialist pest of gladiolus and related plants, causing silvery streaking on leaves and flower damage. It can survive in stored gladiolus corms.

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Did You Know?

Gladiolus thrips can persist through winter by hiding in stored gladiolus bulbs, reinfesting new plantings the following season.