Horse Flies
The horse fly is among the largest of the two-winged fly family. These noisy flying beasts can leave painful bites, but is not as stealthy as its deer fly brother. Male horse flies do not bite, and help with pollination.
- Fly Species
- forest flies, march flies, gad flies, bull dog flies, green heads, zimbs, clegs
- Family: Tabanidae
- Genus: Chrysops
- Locations
- 350 species found in North America.
- 3,000 species known worldwide.
- Not found in extreme northern and southern latitudes.
- Size
- Identify
- Enormous flies with bright colored eyes and clear or solidly colored wings.
- Breeding
- Pond edges, stream banks, seepage areas, and wetlands.
- Close to water on moist soil, plants, and rocks.
- Feeding
- Females, require blood for reproduction and feed on mammals such as cattle, horses, and sometimes humans.
- Though some species prey on amphibians, reptiles, and even birds.
- Horse fly larvae are predators on immature insects and other small invertebrates.
- Males feed on nectar and other plant juices.
- Health Importance
- May be vectors of some animal and human diseases.
- Generally, the painful bites result in swelling and could possibly get infected if proper care is not taken or if an allergic reaction occurs.
- Reduced productivity in cattle such as milk production is also a result of the flies continuously pestering and weakening the animals.
- How to Kill / Control
- To get rid of horse flies:
- Exclusion
- Use Fly Zappers, and Fly Sprays to kill adult flies
- View our Fly Control page for extended information on these methods.
- Extra Info
- Horse flies do not feed from a puncturing needle like organ. Instead, they have serrated mandibles that rip and slice skin.
- Males do not bite, but are important pollinators as they feed mostly on nectar and such.
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