Hybomitra affinis

(Kirby, 1837)

moose-fly

A horse fly in the Tabanidae, commonly known as the moose-fly. Females bite while males do not. It is among the most abundant and widely distributed Tabanidae species in Canada, occurring in woodland where it serves as an important pest of humans and other mammals.

Hybomitra affinis by (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hybomitra affinis: /haɪ.boʊˈmaɪ.trə əˈfɪ.nɪs/

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Images

Habitat

Dominantly woodland . Larvae develop in saturated moss or other predominantly organic materials around swampy woodland pools, marshy lakeshores, willow swamps, and sphagnum bogs.

Distribution

North America, from western Alaska to easternmost Canada, extending south to Arizona in the west and New England in the east. Distribution records include Vermont, USA.

Behavior

Only females bite.

Human Relevance

Important pest throughout its range. Females bite humans and other mammals. Among the Naskapi of Sept-Îles, Quebec, known as misəna'k‘w; among Mistassini Naskapi as mici˙cak‘w (meaning "big biter"); and among Lake St. John Naskapi as mi◌̇ctsina'k‘w. Also known as "he who governs fish" or "the master of the fish" (Naskapi təpənəmə'k nəme'c, Mistassini katəpe˙'i˙mat nəme'ca), believed to visit fishermen to ensure fish are not wasted, biting to maintain mindfulness of this surveillance.