Changes

[[Image:Horse Bot Fly.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Horse Bot Fly - Dennis Ray - Wikimedia Commons]]

[[Image:Horse Bot Fly.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Horse Bot Fly - Dennis Ray - Wikimedia Commons]]

===Introduction===

==Introduction==

The species ''Gasterophilus'', is more commonly referred to as the 'Bot fly.'  It is an obligate parasite found on horses, donkeys, mules, zebras and elephants.   

The species ''Gasterophilus'', is more commonly referred to as the 'Bot fly.'  It is an obligate parasite found on horses, donkeys, mules, zebras and elephants.   

[[Image:Gasterophilus larvae.jpg|150px|thumb|right|'''Gasterophilus larvae (Copyright Lamiot, Wikimedia Commons) ''']]

[[Image:Gasterophilus larvae.jpg|150px|thumb|right|'''Gasterophilus larvae (Copyright Lamiot, Wikimedia Commons) ''']]

===Identification===

==Identification==

Gasterophilus are medium to large flies at 10-20mm long, and are thought to look similar to drone bumble bees.

Gasterophilus are medium to large flies at 10-20mm long, and are thought to look similar to drone bumble bees.

Both ''G. haemorrhoidalis'' and ''G. nasalis'' have spikes on the ventral surface of the larval segments arranged in two rows. ''G. intestinalis'' have mouth parts that are not uniformly curved dorsally and the body spikes present have blunt ended tips.

Both ''G. haemorrhoidalis'' and ''G. nasalis'' have spikes on the ventral surface of the larval segments arranged in two rows. ''G. intestinalis'' have mouth parts that are not uniformly curved dorsally and the body spikes present have blunt ended tips.

===Life Cycle===

==Life Cycle==

L1 are extremely small and motile, and begin development in the mouth, tongue and gums of the host.  The development of L1 into L2 occurs on the pharynx.  L2 then attaches to the base of the tongue and slowly migrates to the stomach.

L1 are extremely small and motile, and begin development in the mouth, tongue and gums of the host.  The development of L1 into L2 occurs on the pharynx.  L2 then attaches to the base of the tongue and slowly migrates to the stomach.

[[Category:Oestridae]]

[[Category:Oestridae]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Max]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Max]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]