Nasal Bot Flies

Oestrus

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Oestrus: //ˈiːstrəs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Oestrus ovis - inat 142159057 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
The animal kingdom, arranged according to its organization, serving as a foundation for the natural history of animals - and an introduction to comparative anatomy (1834) (18009488608) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.
<div class="fn"> The sheep nostril fly (Oestrus ovis). Pen and ink drawing by</div> by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
EuropäischenZweiflügeligen1790TafCXIII by Johann Wilhelm Meigen 1790. Used under a Public domain license.
Meyers b16 s1010a by Unknown authorUnknown author. Used under a Public domain license.
Oestrus-ovis-larva by Alan R Walker. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Summary

Oestrus is a genus of bot flies known for their parasitic larvae that infest the nasal cavities of warm-blooded animals, particularly sheep and goats. They are notable for their ability to undergo a lifecycle that includes phases during which they are non-parasitic and have effects on the reproductive cycles of their hosts.

Distribution

Native to Old World, O. ovis now nearly cosmopolitan wherever sheep are raised.

Tags

  • Diptera
  • Gadfly
  • Parasitic Insects