Hybomitra rupestris
(McDunnough, 1921)
horse fly
Hybomitra rupestris is a of in the . It is distributed across northern North America, including Canada and the United States. Like other horse flies, females are blood-feeders while males feed on nectar. The species is relatively poorly documented in scientific literature.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hybomitra rupestris: //ˌhaɪ.boʊˈmaɪ.trə ruːˈpɛs.trɪs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Distribution
Canada and the United States. Specific provincial and state records are limited in available sources.
Human Relevance
Female are biting pests that can cause irritation to humans and livestock. They are not known to be significant in North America, but their bites can be painful and may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Similar Taxa
- Hybomitra hineiAnother North Hybomitra ; H. hinei is notable for being the fastest flying recorded (89 mph), whereas H. rupestris has no such documented record.
- Other Hybomitra speciesMany Hybomitra are morphologically similar and require examination of specific characters such as patterns, abdominal coloration, and for accurate identification; H. rupestris is distinguished by its specific distribution and subtle morphological features.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Described by McDunnough in 1921. The Hybomitra was historically treated as a subgenus of Tabanus but is now recognized as distinct based on morphological and molecular evidence.
Data scarcity
Only 3 observations recorded in iNaturalist as of source date, indicating this is rarely encountered or underreported by citizen scientists.