Skipper Butterfly vs Throat Bot Fly of Horses
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Skipper Butterfly | Throat Bot Fly of Horses |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Epargyreus clarus | Gasterophilus nasalis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Hesperiidae | Oestridae |
| Size | 44-67 mm wingspan | 11-15 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Worldwide wherever horses are kept |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Skipper Butterfly
A stout-bodied butterfly with hooked antennae, brown wings with golden spots on the forewing, and a distinctive silver patch on the hindwing underside. It has a rapid, darting flight.
Did You Know?
The caterpillar builds a silk-lined leaf shelter and can eject its droppings up to 150 centimeters away to avoid attracting parasitic wasps.
Throat Bot Fly of Horses
A yellowish-brown bot fly that lays eggs under the jaw of horses. Larvae migrate to the area between the teeth and gums before traveling to the pyloric region of the stomach and duodenum. It is one of the most common horse bot flies worldwide.
Did You Know?
Unlike other horse bots, this species' larvae prefer the duodenum over the stomach, a unique niche among Gasterophilus species.