Tabanidae

Common Name

Horse Flies and Deer Flies

Overview

The Tabanidae family includes large, biting flies that are known for their painful bites. They are primarily found in warm climates and can be identified by their large size, and in some cases, colorful eyes.

Taxonomy

  • Order : Diptera
  • Suborder : Brachycera
  • Infraorder : Tabanomorpha
  • Family : Tabanidae

Key Characteristics

  • Size : Generally large, ranging from 5 to 25 mm in length.
  • Eyes : Often brightly colored or patterned with stripes.
  • Antennae : Usually short and stout.
  • Wings : Broad and relatively short, often with a distinctive venation pattern.
  • Mouthparts : Slashing and sponging mouthparts adapted for blood-feeding.

Life Cycle

  1. Eggs : Laid in clusters on vegetation near water.
  2. Larvae : Aquatic or semi-aquatic, predatory on other small organisms.
  3. Pupae : Develop within the soil or beneath debris.
  4. Adults : Emerge to feed and reproduce, females requiring blood meals for egg development.

Behavior and Ecology

  • Feeding : Female Tabanidae feed on the blood of mammals, including humans, while males feed on nectar.
  • Habitats : Usually found near bodies of water such as ponds, marshes, and streams where their larvae develop.
  • Biting : Females exhibit aggressive biting behavior and can be persistent in their quest for a blood meal.

Notable Species

  • Tabanus nigrovittatus : Known commonly as the greenhead horsefly.
  • Chrysops relictus : A common deer fly species.
  • Haematopota pluvialis : The common banded horsefly, known for its distinctive wing patterns.

Conservation

While not generally endangered, habitat destruction and pollution can impact local populations. Control measures are often implemented to reduce their numbers due to their impact on livestock and humans.

Significance to Humans

  • Medical : Can transmit diseases to livestock, including equine infectious anemia and anaplasmosis.
  • Economic : Cause stress and injury to livestock, leading to reduced productivity.
  • Public Health : Bites are painful and can cause allergic reactions or secondary infections.

Fun Facts

  • Color Vision : Some species have been shown to have color vision, with certain wavelengths attracting them more than others.
  • Speed : Horseflies are among the fastest flying insects, with speeds recorded at up to 90 km/h (about 56 mph).
  • Oldest Fossils : Fossils date back to the Jurassic period, making them one of the older families of flies.
  • Heterogeneity : The genus Tabanus includes over 250 species, one of the most diverse within the family.