Reindeer Warble Fly vs Black Blow Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Reindeer Warble Fly | Black Blow Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hypoderma tarandi | Phormia regina |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Oestridae | Calliphoridae |
| Size | 13-17 mm | 9-13 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Alaska | North America, Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Reindeer Warble Fly
A stout, furry fly that parasitizes reindeer and caribou. Females dart at reindeer to lay eggs on their legs. Larvae burrow through the skin and migrate through the body, creating warble lumps under the back skin.
Did You Know?
The buzzing of this fly causes reindeer to panic and stampede, and heavy infestations can reduce a reindeer's body weight by up to 25 percent.
Black Blow Fly
A dark metallic blow fly that is among the first insects to colonize a corpse. It is a key species in forensic entomology across North America.
Did You Know?
It can detect a dead body from over a mile away using chemoreceptors on its antennae.