Throat Bot Fly of Horses vs Southern Long-legged Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Throat Bot Fly of Horses Southern Long-legged Fly
Scientific Name Gasterophilus nasalis Chrysotus gramineus
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Oestridae Dolichopodidae
Size 11-15 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Farmland Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions Worldwide wherever horses are kept Europe, Asia, 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.

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Did You Know?

Unlike other horse bots, this species' larvae prefer the duodenum over the stomach, a unique niche among Gasterophilus species.

Southern Long-legged Fly

A tiny, brilliantly metallic green long-legged fly commonly found on vegetation near water. It runs rapidly across leaf surfaces hunting for small prey.

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Did You Know?

Despite their tiny size, dolichopodid flies are among the most species-rich predatory fly families globally.