Oestridae Collection

The anus of a bot fly
Scanning electron microscope image of the anus of a bot fly. Image on display in the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London

Dermatobia hominis, human botfly
Second stage of the human botfly (Dermatobia hominis) in leg - contracted in Bolivia. Photographed by Martin Hall

Dermatobia hominis, botfly
The larvae of the flesh eating botfly found on a cow, near Pelotas, Brazil. Photographed by Martin Hall

Horse botfly larvae C016 / 5712
Horse botfly (Gasterophilus sp.). Specimen of hose botfly larvae attached to the stomach wall of a horse

Oestridae, botfly larva
Scanning electron microscope image of a botfly larva. They are parasites feeding on skin in the case of warble flies, nostrils in the flies that affect sheep and deer

Gyrostigma rhinocerontis, rhinoceros stomach botfly
A rhinoceros stomach botfly, collected from Natal collected in October 1995

Dermatobia hominis, botfly larva
2nd instar larva of the botfly (Dermatobia hominis). Collected from a cow, Brazil. Photographed by Martin Hall

Oestrus ovis, ship nasal botfly larva
A ship nasal botfly larva, a cause of myiasis extracted from a human eye in Kuwait. Photographed by Martin Hall

Kirkoestrus minutus, botfly
A mounted specimen of the botfly (Kirkoestrus minutus) found in Nwandsi, Kruger National Park. Photographed by Martin Hall

Cuterebra, rodent botfly
3rd instar or stage of the rodent botfly found on a spiny rat (Proechimys sp.) in French Guiana. Photographed by Martin Hall

Dermatobia hominis
A moounted specimen of a flesh eating botfly (Dermatobia hominis) found in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Photographed by Martin Hall

Dermatobia hominis, botfly eggs
Botfly (Dermatobia hominis) eggs on a host fly (Chrysops variegatus). Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Photographed by Martin Hall

Gyrostigma rhinocerontis, botfly maggot
A adult rhino botfly maggot (Gyrostigma rhinocerontis) extracted from a white rhino, Merseyside. Photographed by Martin Hall

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Exploring the Intriguing World of Oestridae: From Botfly Larvae to Rhinoceros Stomach Botflies" Did you know that the anus of a bot fly is where it lays its eggs? One such species, Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, uses this unique method to ensure its offspring's survival. These larvae develop inside their host's skin until they are ready to emerge. But Dermatobia hominis isn't the only member of the Oestridae family with fascinating life cycles. Horse botfly larvae (C016/5712) also belong to this group and can be found infesting equines. Their presence can cause discomfort for horses and prompt owners to take preventive measures against these pesky parasites. Speaking of botfly larvae, Oestridae boasts several other intriguing species within its ranks. These include Gyrostigma rhinocerontis, which targets rhinoceroses' stomachs during their larval stage. The complex relationship between these creatures and their hosts continues to captivate scientists worldwide. Not limited to land-dwelling animals, Oestrus ovis represents another remarkable member of Oestridae—the ship nasal botfly larva. This peculiar insect chooses sheep as its primary host and resides in their nasal passages during development. The diversity within Oestridae showcases nature's ability to adapt and survive in various environments through intricate life cycles. While some may find these creatures unsettling or even repulsive due to their parasitic nature, studying them provides valuable insights into evolutionary biology and ecological interactions. So next time you come across an image or mention of an oestridae species like Dermatobia hominis or Gyrostigma rhinocerontis—remember that there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to these captivating botflies.