Throat Bot Fly of Horses vs Argentine Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Throat Bot Fly of Horses | Argentine Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gasterophilus nasalis | Linepithema humile |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Oestridae | Formicidae |
| Size | 11-15 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Woodlands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Worldwide wherever horses are kept | South America, worldwide (invasive) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Argentine Ant
Forms massive supercolonies spanning thousands of kilometers. One supercolony stretches 6,000 km along the Mediterranean coast. Displaces native ant species worldwide.
Did You Know?
Argentine ants have formed a global megacolony — ants from Japan, California, and Europe recognize each other as nestmates and will not fight, forming one worldwide supercolony.