Horse flies and deer flies[a] are true flies in the family Tabanidae in the insect order Diptera. The adults are often large and agile in flight. Only females bite land vertebrates, including humans, to obtain blood. They prefer to fly in sunlight, avoiding dark and …

Apr 7, 2023 · Chances are you’ve been bitten by a horsefly on more than one occasion. If you’re not immediately familiar with this pesky insect, it’s a large, dark fly. You can generally recognize it by its...

Horse flies are notorious pests of mammals. Learn about horse fly bites and contact a pest professional for information about how to get rid of horse flies.

Nov 13, 2024 · Horseflies are short, sturdy flies with large eyes, segmented antennae, and strong, blade-like mouthparts. Horseflies are usually about 6 to 20 millimeters long (0.25 to 1.25 inches).

horse fly, any member of the insect family Tabanidae (order Diptera), but more specifically any member of the genus Tabanus. These stout flies, as small as a housefly or as large as a bumble bee, are sometimes known as greenheaded monsters; their metallic or iridescent eyes meet dorsally in the male and are separate in the female.

Horse flies are large flies with a gray or black body, shiny green or purple eyes, and short antennae. In summer, female horse flies bite people and animals to feed on their blood. They must do this before they can lay eggs. Male horse flies eat flower nectar and are not dangerous.

Horse and deer flies are "true" flies in the insect Order Diptera, and comprise the Family Tabanidae known as "tabanid flies" or "tabanids." There are an estimated 4,300 species of horse and deer flies in the world, approximately 335 of which occur in the continental U.S.

Feb 12, 2024 · Horsefly bites cause raised, discolored bumps on your skin. They’re painful but usually harmless. At-home care can help with symptoms. In rare cases, you may develop an allergic reaction, infection or a bacterial infection called tularemia. These require medical treatment. Horsefly bites are painful, but they’re usually not harmful to humans.

Mar 24, 2023 · Horse flies, which are actually a species of fly in the family Tabanidae, are a pest for almost any mammal. The female horse fly, just like the female mosquito, is responsible for the bite. Males rely primarily on pollen and nectar for feeding.

Horse flies are large, aggressive flies that can inflict painful bites on animals and humans. For help on controlling horse flies, call your Orkin Pro today.