Louse Fly vs Stalk-Eyed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Louse Fly | Stalk-Eyed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hippobosca equina | Teleopsis dalmanni |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Hippoboscidae | Diopsidae |
| Size | 7-8 mm | 6-10 mm body (eye span up to 25 mm) |
| Habitat | Farmland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, Africa | 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.
Did You Know?
Its body is so tough and flattened that it can withstand being stepped on by its horse host without injury.
Stalk-Eyed Fly
Males have eyes on the tips of long rigid stalks that can span wider than their body length. Females prefer males with wider eye spans, driving extreme sexual selection.
Did You Know?
Males compete by facing each other and comparing eye span — the wider-eyed male wins. Females prefer wide-eyed males because eye span indicates good genes.