Dark-edged Bee-fly vs Sheep Nose Bot Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dark-edged Bee-fly Sheep Nose Bot Fly
Scientific Name Bombylius major discolor Oestrus ovis
Order Diptera Diptera
Family Bombyliidae Oestridae
Size 8-12mm 10-12 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Parasites
Regions Asia Worldwide
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dark-edged Bee-fly

A subspecies of the bee-fly with slightly different wing patterning found in eastern populations.

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Did You Know?

Hovers at spring flowers with its long rigid proboscis extended, looking remarkably like a furry hummingbird.

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.