Throat Bot Fly of Horses vs Bluebottle Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Throat Bot Fly of Horses Bluebottle Fly
Scientific Name Gasterophilus nasalis Calliphora vicina
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Oestridae Calliphoridae
Size 11-15 mm 10-12 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Omnivores Carrion Feeders
Regions Worldwide wherever horses are kept Europe, North America
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.

Bluebottle Fly

A common metallic blue blowfly found in urban areas worldwide. Breeds in dead pigeons, rodents and meat. An important species in forensic entomology for estimating time of death.

💡

Did You Know?

One of the most important forensic indicator species, helping police estimate time of death from larval development stage.