Sheep Nose Bot Fly vs Diamondback Moth Parasite

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sheep Nose Bot Fly Diamondback Moth Parasite
Scientific Name Oestrus ovis Diadegma insulare
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Oestridae Braconidae
Size 10-12 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Parasites Parasitoids
Regions Worldwide North America, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sheep Nose Bot Fly

A parasitic fly that shoots live larvae into the nostrils of sheep and goats while in flight. Larvae develop inside the nasal sinuses, causing distress to livestock.

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Did You Know?

This fly does not lay eggs — it shoots live first-instar larvae directly into the nostrils of sheep while flying past at speed, a method called larviposition.

Diamondback Moth Parasite

A small parasitoid that is the most important natural enemy of the diamondback moth on brassica crops. It lays a single egg inside each host caterpillar.

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Did You Know?

Overuse of insecticides on brassica crops often kills this wasp, ironically leading to worse diamondback moth outbreaks.