Horse Flies
Tabaninae
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Diptera
- Infraorder: Tabanomorpha
- Family: Tabanidae
- Subfamily: Tabaninae
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tabaninae: //ˌtæbəˈnaɪniː//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Tabaninae is a subfamily of large, blood-feeding flies commonly known as horse flies, known for their aggressive feeding habits and significant ecological and economic roles.
Physical Characteristics
Horse flies are characterized by their large size, strong bodies, and large compound eyes. They lack apical metatibial spurs, which distinguishes them from other subfamilies within Tabanidae.
Identification Tips
To identify any North American tabanid, five images from different angles are helpful. Images 1-4 are essential; the fifth image is desirable but not always possible.
Habitat
Horse flies are commonly found in a variety of habitats including wetlands, meadows, and near water sources where they can access hosts for feeding.
Distribution
There are over 3000 described species of Tabaninae, widely distributed across various continents.
Diet
Horse flies are primarily blood-feeding insects, with females requiring blood meals for the maturation of their eggs. Males typically feed on nectar and plant fluids.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of horse flies involves egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. Eggs are laid near water where larvae develop in moist habitats.
Reproduction
Reproduction involves females laying eggs on vegetation near water bodies, and they typically require a blood meal for egg development.
Predators
Adult horse flies have few natural predators due to their size, but larvae may be preyed upon by aquatic insects and other invertebrates.
Ecosystem Role
Horse flies play a role in ecosystems as pollinators and as a food source for other animals, while also being significant pests due to their biting behavior.
Economic Impact
Horse flies can negatively impact livestock by causing stress and reducing productivity due to their blood-feeding behavior.
Health Concerns
Horse flies can be vectors for various diseases that affect animals and, on rare occasions, humans.
Collecting Methods
- Net capture during peak activity hours
- Use of traps designed for tabanids
- Photography for identification rather than collection
Preservation Methods
- Pinning specimens for display
- Storage in alcohol for molecular studies
- Drying and mounting on paper for educational purposes
Evolution
Tabaninae have evolved a specialized diet and behavior that allows them to be effective ectoparasites, with adaptations for blood-feeding.
Misconceptions
Many people confuse horse flies with stable flies or other biting flies; however, horse flies are generally larger and have distinctive behaviors.
Tags
- tabanidae
- horse flies
- entomology
- blood-feeding
- ecology
- pests