Horse-flies

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Scientific:  Tabanidae

Size:  From 8 to 23mm depending on the species

Distibution:  Found throughout the UK.

Months seen:  May to September

Food:  Females suck the blood of mammals and the males are nectar feeders

Habitat:  Fields and hedgerows - especially near water

Special features:  Although the male horse fly is a nectar feeder, the female horse fly can give a painful bite with their sharp, piercing mouthparts.  The bite leaves a triangular hole in the skin and can cause a large swelling.  Unlike mosquitoes, horse-flies make a much lower pitched humming noise when they fly, so you don't always hear them coming.

Their one redeeming characteristic is their amazing eyes, which in a certain light display brilliant bands of colour.

The maggot-like larvae of horse flies live in mud, feeding on decaying vegetable matter, or small creatures, depending on the horse-fly species.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Flies Section
• UK Safari Invertebrate Section
• Identify other wildlife
• What's Out Now?