Home > Horsefly

Among the world's largest flies are the horseflies (family Tabanidae). Though not all the species in this family bite, these large, hairy flies are most often known as pests because of the painful bites many species can inflict on animals and humans. They occur worldwide, being absent only at extreme northern and southern latitudes.

A type of insect, horseflies are classified in the fly order Diptera. There are approximately 3,000 species of horseflies known worldwide, 350 of which are found in North AmericaNorth America is the third largest continent in area and the fourth ranked in population. It is bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific Ocea. At least three subfamilies are recognised:

• Chrysopsinae
• Pangoniinae
• Tabaninae
• the genus Zophina is of uncertain placement, though it has been classified among the Pangoniinae.

The two best-known types are the common horseflies, genusSee genus (mathematics) for the use of the term in mathematics. See genus (music) for the use of the term in music. In biology, a genus (plural genera is a grouping in the classification of living organisms having one or more related and morphologically s Tabanus, and the deerflies, genus Chrysops, also known as banded horseflies because of their coloring. Both these genera give their names to subfamilies.

Adult horseflies feed on nectar and other plant juices, but only the females also feed on blood. Males lack the necessary mouth apparatus to do so. Most horseflies feed on mammal blood, but some species are known to feed on birds, amphibians or reptiles.

The females' primary sense for locating prey is sight, and they have large, compound eyes that serve this purpose well. The flies usually lay waiting in shady areas for prey to happen by. They are attracted to large, dark objects, and to certain animal odors and carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide is an atmospheric gas composed of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. One of the best known of chemical compounds, it is frequently called by its formula: :CO (pronunciation: "see oh two") Carbon dioxide results from the combustion of organic. They are also attracted by motion, their eyes being well adapted to its detection.

The eyes of horseflies are generally brightly colored, and this coloration is the primary means entomologists use to sex them.

A horsefly's bite can be very painful. Unlike insects that pierce the skin, horseflies have mouthparts that work like miniature knives, which they use to slash open the skin with a scissor-like motion. This causes the blood to seep out as the horsefly licks it up. While some horseflies are known to have venomThis article is about the toxin. For other meanings, see Venom (disambiguation Venom is a general term for the toxins used by several groups of animal species, for the purpose of defense and hunting prey. Most widely known are snakes, some species of whic, none is known to be dangerous to humans. When attacking humans, the flies generally prefer the head and upper body regions, going unnoticed until a bite is inflicted.

Horseflies are most active in hot weather, mostly in summer and autumn during the daylight hours. Most species also prefer a wet climate, which makes it easier for them to breed.

Eggs are generally laid on stones close to water or on plant stems or leaves. On hatching, the larvaA larva ( Latin; plural larvae is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). The larva can look completely different from the adult form, for example, a caterpillar differs from a bu fall into water or moist earth, feeding voraciously on invertebrates, such as snails and earthworms, and small vertebrates.

Some horsefly species are known to transmit disease and/or parasiteA parasite is an organism that lives in or on the living tissue of a host organism at the expense of it. The biological interaction between the host and the parasite is called parasitism. Parasitism is a type of symbiosis, by one definition, although anots. A common problem in some animals, though, when large flies are abundant, is blood loss. Some animals have been known to lose up to 300mL of blood in a single day, which can severely weaken or even kill them.