Sapphire Jewelwing vs Horse Stomach Bot Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sapphire Jewelwing Horse Stomach Bot Fly
Scientific Name Vestalis luctuosa Gasterophilus intestinalis
Order Odonata Diptera
Family Calopterygidae Oestridae
Size 55-65 mm 12-16 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Farmland
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Asia Cosmopolitan wherever horses are kept
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sapphire Jewelwing

A large Southeast Asian damselfly with a dark metallic blue body and dark-tipped wings. Males shimmer with deep sapphire and violet hues.

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Did You Know?

Its deep sapphire blue metallic body makes it one of the most photogenic damselflies in tropical Asia.

Horse Stomach Bot Fly

A bee-like fly that glues eggs to horse leg hairs where they are ingested during grooming. Larvae attach to the stomach lining and develop for months before passing out.

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Did You Know?

Larvae survive the acidic horse stomach by secreting a protective alkaline buffer around themselves.