Biting-fly
Guides
Atylotus hyalicosta
Atylotus hyalicosta is a species of horse fly (family Tabanidae) described by Teskey in 1984. It belongs to the genus Atylotus, a group of biting flies known for their robust build and large eyes. Like other members of Tabanidae, females of this species likely require blood meals for egg development, while males feed on nectar and other sugar sources. The species is poorly documented in public literature, with only one observation recorded on iNaturalist.
Chrysops aberrans
Wandering Deer Fly
Chrysops aberrans is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae. It is commonly known as the Wandering Deer Fly. The species was described by Philip in 1941. As a member of the genus Chrysops, it belongs to a group of biting flies known for their painful bites to mammals, including humans.
Chrysops ater
Dark Deer Fly
Chrysops ater is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, commonly known as the Dark Deer Fly. It is distributed across northern North America including Canada and the United States. Like other deer flies, females are blood-feeders while males feed on nectar. The species is one of approximately 250 described species in the genus Chrysops.
Chrysops atlanticus
Atlantic Deer Fly
Chrysops atlanticus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae. It is a biting fly known for its painful bites to humans and other mammals. The species has been successfully reared in laboratory conditions, with a complete life cycle of approximately 20-30 days at 25°C. Adults emerge in morning hours.
Chrysops beameri
deer fly
Chrysops beameri is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Brennan in 1935. The species belongs to the genus Chrysops, a diverse group of biting flies commonly known as deer flies or yellow flies. Like other members of this genus, it is presumed to be a blood-feeding fly with females requiring blood meals for egg development. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species.
Chrysops brunneus
Brownish Deer Fly
Chrysops brunneus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, commonly known as the Brownish Deer Fly. It is found in the United States. The species was described by Hine in 1903. Deer flies in the genus Chrysops are known for their biting behavior and are considered pests of humans and livestock.
Chrysops calvus
Bald Deer Fly
Chrysops calvus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, commonly known as the Bald Deer Fly. It was described by Pechuman and Teskey in 1967. The species belongs to the genus Chrysops, a group of biting flies known for their painful bites and distinctive patterned eyes. Deer flies are recognized as significant biting pests of humans and livestock.
Chrysops celatus
deer fly
Chrysops celatus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Pechuman in 1949. It exhibits diel host-seeking activity patterns and has been recorded in northwest Florida and Vermont, USA. The species is currently considered a synonym of Chrysops atlanticus by some taxonomic authorities.
Chrysops cincticornis
Ring-clawed Deer Fly
Chrysops cincticornis is a deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Walker in 1848. It is commonly known as the Ring-clawed Deer Fly. The species has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States, with 291 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Research on this species has focused on its oviposition behavior and fecundity, with laboratory studies showing females deposit eggs in gelatinous masses on mud substrates near water, averaging 156 eggs per female.
deer-flyTabanidaeDipteramedical-entomologyovipositionfecundityring-clawed-deer-flyVermontUnited-Statesmud-substrategelatinous-egg-massChrysopsinaeChrysopsiniWalker-1848iNaturalistlaboratory-rearingegg-mass156-eggsrange-42-312near-watermud-like-substrateegg-depositionreproductionbehavioral-studymedical-entomology-researchinsect-vectorsbiting-fliestabanid-flieshorse-fliesdeer-fliesChrysopsNorth-AmericaNew-Englandobservation-recordssynonym-status-in-Catalogue-of-Lifeaccepted-status-in-GBIFarthropodinsectflyBrachyceraTabanomorphaHexapodaPterygotaAnimaliaArthropodaInsectacincticornisChrysops-cincticornis-Walker-1848Chrysops-(Chrysops)-cincticornisdeerflyhorseflytabanidbiting-flyvectoroviposition-behaviorfecundity-studyJournal-of-Medical-Entomology198210.1093/jmedent/19.5.597gelatinous-secretionmudwaterlaboratory-conditionsmean-fecundityegg-productionreproductive-biologyentomologyinsect-behaviorinsect-reproductiondipterantrue-flytwo-winged-flynematoceranCyclorrhaphaAschizaSchizophoraAcalyptrataeCalyptrataeOestroideaMuscoideaHippoboscoideaGlossinidaeCalliphoridaeSarcophagidaeMuscidaeFanniidaeAnthomyiidaeScathophagidaeOestridaeTachinidaeSiphonapteraPhthirapteraHemipteraColeopteraLepidopteraHymenopteraNeuropteraMegalopteraRaphidiopteraTrichopteraStrepsipteraMecopteraDipluraProturaCollembolaZygentomaArchaeognathaEphemeropteraOdonataPlecopteraGrylloblattodeaMantophasmatodeaPhasmatodeaOrthopteraDermapteraEmbiopteraZorapteraIsopteraBlattodeaMantodeaPhyllodocidaNotopteraWalker1848speciestaxongelatinoushabitatdistributionGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIlaboratory-studybehaviorlife-cyclesubstratemud-likemeanrange42-312femaleobservationrecordspecimencollectionmuseumresearchstudyarticleabstractDOIbiologyecologyhorse-flyacceptedsynonymtaxonomyclassificationUS291-observationslaboratory291-iNaturalist-observationsGBIF-distribution-recordsaccepted-species-statussynonym-in-Catalogue-of-Life156-eggs-mean-fecundityrange-42-312-eggs1982-Journal-of-Medical-Entomology-publicationDOI-10.1093/jmedent/19.5.597entomology-researchdipteran-biologyChrysops clavicornis
deer fly
Chrysops clavicornis is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Brennan in 1935. It belongs to the genus Chrysops, a diverse group of biting flies commonly known as deer flies or yellow flies. The species is characterized by clubbed antennae, as indicated by its specific epithet 'clavicornis' (from Latin clavus = club, cornu = horn). Like other members of the genus, it is likely a blood-feeding fly with females requiring blood meals for egg development.
Chrysops cursim
deer fly
Chrysops cursim is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Whitney in 1879. It belongs to the genus Chrysops, a diverse group of biting flies commonly known as deer flies or yellow flies. The species is recorded from the United States. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a blood-feeding fly with females requiring vertebrate blood for egg development, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Chrysops dacne
Chrysops dacne is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Philip in 1955. The species name is a playful reference, sounding like 'balls of fire' when pronounced. Like other members of the genus Chrysops, it is likely a biting fly with aquatic or semi-aquatic larval stages, though specific details about this particular species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Chrysops dimmocki
deer fly
Chrysops dimmocki is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Hine in 1905. It belongs to the genus Chrysops, a diverse group of biting flies known for their distinctive patterned eyes and painful bites. The species is documented from the United States, with specific records from Vermont. Like other deer flies, females require blood meals for egg development, while males feed on nectar.
Chrysops discalis
deer fly
Chrysops discalis is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae. It is known as a biting fly and has been implicated as a vector of tularemia, commonly referred to as "deerfly fever." The species was described by Williston in 1880 and occurs in North America.
Chrysops dissimilis
Chrysops dissimilis is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Brennan in 1935. It belongs to the genus Chrysops, a diverse group of biting flies commonly known as deer flies or yellow flies. The species is recognized in major taxonomic databases including GBIF and Catalogue of Life, though detailed biological information remains limited. As with other Chrysops species, females are blood-feeders while males feed on nectar.
Chrysops dixianus
deer fly
Chrysops dixianus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Pechuman in 1974. The species is known from the United States. Like other members of the genus Chrysops, it belongs to the deer fly group within horse flies, characterized by their biting habits and aquatic larval development. The specific epithet 'dixianus' suggests a possible association with the southern United States (Dixie region), though this has not been explicitly documented in available sources.
Chrysops excitans
Bothersome Deer Fly
Chrysops excitans is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, commonly known as the Bothersome Deer Fly. It is distributed across Canada and the United States, with records from Vermont and other regions. As a member of the genus Chrysops, it shares the characteristic blood-feeding behavior of female deer flies, though specific details for this species remain limited in available sources.
Chrysops facialis
Chrysops facialis is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Townsend in 1897. As a member of the genus Chrysops, it belongs to a group of biting flies known for their painful bites and distinctive wing patterns. The species is currently accepted in taxonomic databases, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Chrysops frigidus
Frigid Deer Fly
Chrysops frigidus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, commonly known as the Frigid Deer Fly. It occurs in northern North America, with records from Canada and the United States. Like other deer flies, females are blood-feeding while males feed on nectar. The species was described by Osten Sacken in 1875.
Chrysops fuliginosus
deer fly
Chrysops fuliginosus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Wiedemann in 1821. It belongs to the genus Chrysops, a diverse group of biting flies commonly known as deer flies or yellow flies. The species is distributed across Canada and the United States.
Chrysops hinei
deer fly
Chrysops hinei is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Daecke in 1907. The species belongs to the genus Chrysops, a diverse group of biting flies commonly known as deer flies or yellow flies. As with other members of Tabanidae, females are blood-feeders while males feed on nectar and other sugary substances. The species is part of the subfamily Chrysopsinae, characterized by patterned wings and diurnal activity patterns.
Chrysops hirsuticallus
Chrysops hirsuticallus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Philip in 1941. As a member of the genus Chrysops, it belongs to a group of biting flies known for their distinctive patterned eyes and blood-feeding behavior by females. The species has been subject to scientific study regarding its reproductive biology and blood meal sources.
Chrysops indus
deer fly
Chrysops indus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae. It occurs in North America, with records from the United States and Canada. Like other members of the genus Chrysops, females are blood-feeders while males feed on nectar and pollen. The species was described by Osten Sacken in 1875.
Chrysops lateralis
deer fly
Chrysops lateralis is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae. It belongs to the genus Chrysops, a group of biting flies known for their painful bites to humans and other mammals. The species was described by Wiedemann in 1828. Deer flies in this genus are recognized as significant biting pests in North America.
Chrysops macquarti
Macquart's Deer Fly
Chrysops macquarti is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae. The species was described by Philip in 1961. Like other deer flies, it belongs to a group of biting flies known for their painful bites to mammals, including humans. The specific epithet honors the French entomologist Pierre-Justin-Marie Macquart.
Chrysops montanus
Mountain Deer Fly
Chrysops montanus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, commonly known as the Mountain Deer Fly. It is found in mountainous regions of North America including Canada and the United States. Like other deer flies, females are blood-feeders while males feed on nectar.
Chrysops niger
Black Deer Fly
Chrysops niger, commonly known as the black deer fly, is a biting fly in the family Tabanidae. Adults are active from May to September and are associated with marshy habitats. The species is distinguished by its predominantly black body with white hairs and black-barred wings. Larvae develop in damp soil and feed on organic matter.
Chrysops noctifer
nocturnal deer fly
Chrysops noctifer is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Osten Sacken in 1877. Like other members of the genus Chrysops, it belongs to a group of biting flies known for their painful bites and distinctive patterned eyes. The species name 'noctifer' (meaning 'night-bearer') suggests possible crepuscular or nocturnal activity patterns, though specific behavioral documentation is limited. As with other deer flies, females are blood-feeders while males feed on nectar.
Chrysops obsoletus
Chrysops obsoletus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Wiedemann in 1821. It belongs to the genus Chrysops, a group of biting flies known for their painful bites to humans and other mammals. The species is part of the subfamily Chrysopsinae and tribe Chrysopsini. Limited specific information is available for this particular species beyond its taxonomic classification.
Chrysops pikei
Chrysops pikei is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae. It belongs to the genus Chrysops, a group of biting flies known for their distinctive eye patterns and painful bites. The species was described by Whitney in 1904. Like other deer flies, it is likely a blood-feeding pest of mammals, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Chrysops reicherti
deer fly
Chrysops reicherti is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Fairchild in 1937. Like other members of the genus Chrysops, it is a blood-feeding fly known for its painful bites to mammals, including humans. The species occurs in the United States. Very little species-specific documentation exists in the available literature.
Chrysops sequax
deer fly
Chrysops sequax is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae. It is known from the United States. Like other members of the genus Chrysops, it is a blood-feeding fly with females requiring vertebrate blood for egg development. The species was described by Samuel Wendell Williston in 1887.
Chrysops shermani
Sherman's Deer Fly
Chrysops shermani is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Hine in 1907. Like other members of the genus Chrysops, it is a biting fly known for its painful bites to mammals, including humans. The species is found in the United States, with records from Vermont and other states.
Chrysops surdus
deer fly
Chrysops surdus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Osten Sacken in 1877. The species is distributed across northern North America, including Canada and the United States. Deer flies in the genus Chrysops are blood-feeding flies known for their painful bites and are recognized as significant biting pests in their range.
Chrysops univittatus
One-striped Deer Fly
Chrysops univittatus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, commonly known as the One-striped Deer Fly. Females are most abundant in late July and early August in southwestern Quebec. The species is anautogenous, requiring a blood meal for egg development, and exhibits a single gonotrophic cycle.
Chrysops upsilon
Chrysops upsilon is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Philip in 1950. Like other members of the genus Chrysops, it is a biting fly with females that require blood meals for egg development. The species is part of a diverse group of tabanids known for their painful bites and role as pests of humans and livestock. Specific ecological details for this species remain limited in available literature.
Chrysops virgulatus
deer fly
Chrysops virgulatus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Bellardi in 1859. The species is currently accepted as valid, though the Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym, indicating taxonomic uncertainty or ongoing revision. Deer flies in the genus Chrysops are known for their biting behavior and are typically found in moist, vegetated habitats near water sources. As with other members of Tabanidae, females require blood meals for egg development.
Chrysops vittatus
deer fly
Chrysops vittatus is a species of deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Wiedemann in 1821. Like other members of the genus Chrysops, it is a biting fly known for its blood-feeding behavior. The species has been documented in laboratory life history studies alongside congeners C. atlanticus and C. univittatus. Specific field data on this species remains limited in the available sources.
Diachlorus ferrugatus
Yellow Fly, Yellow Fly of the Dismal Swamp, Doctor Fly
Diachlorus ferrugatus is a biting horse fly native to North and Central America, ranging from the southeastern United States to Costa Rica. It is notorious for its aggressive biting behavior toward humans and is considered one of the most aggressive tabanid species in Florida. Females require blood meals for egg development and are active during daylight hours, with peak activity at sunset. The species is associated with aquatic habitats and nearby vegetation.
Esenbeckia
horse-fly
Esenbeckia is a genus of horse-flies (family Tabanidae) established by Rondani in 1863. Members are characterized by large, often vividly colored compound eyes and robust body form typical of tabanid flies. The genus is distinct from the plant genus of the same name (family Rutaceae), which was described earlier by Kunth. Species within Esenbeckia are found in the Americas and are diurnal, fast-flying insects.
Hamatabanus exilipalpis
Hamatabanus exilipalpis is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae. It belongs to the genus Hamatabanus, a group of biting flies distributed primarily in the Neotropical region. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with only three observation records currently available on iNaturalist. Like other tabanids, adults are likely to be diurnal and females may require blood meals for egg development, though specific biological details remain unverified.
Hybomitra affinis
moose-fly
A horse fly species in the family 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 habitats where it serves as an important pest of humans and other mammals.
Hybomitra aurilimbus
Hybomitra aurilimbus is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae. The genus Hybomitra includes species known for exceptionally fast flight speeds. Hybomitra aurilimbus has been documented in North America. Adult females are blood-feeders, while males feed on nectar.
Hybomitra melanorhina
horse fly
Hybomitra melanorhina is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Bigot in 1892. It belongs to a genus of large, robust biting flies known for their rapid flight. Like other horse flies, females are blood-feeders while males feed on nectar and pollen. The species has been documented in northern North America.
Hybomitra microcephala
horse fly
Hybomitra microcephala is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae. It occurs in northern North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the genus Hybomitra, it belongs to a group of large, biting flies commonly known as deer flies or horse flies, recognized for their robust bodies and prominent compound eyes.
Hybomitra minuscula
Hybomitra minuscula is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, originally described as Tabanus minusculus by Hine in 1907. It belongs to the genus Hybomitra, a diverse group of biting flies distributed primarily in the Holarctic region. Like other tabanids, adults are likely to be blood-feeding, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species has been recorded in North America.
Hybomitra opaca
Hybomitra opaca is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, described by Coquillett in 1904. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to a group of robust, fast-flying flies known for their biting behavior. The species is classified within the tribe Tabanini and subfamily Tabaninae. Specific details about its biology, distribution, and ecology remain poorly documented in available sources.
Hybomitra rupestris
horse fly
Hybomitra rupestris is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae. 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.
Hybomitra sodalis
White-arrowed Horse Fly
Hybomitra sodalis is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae, commonly known as the White-arrowed Horse Fly. It belongs to a genus of large, fast-flying tabanid flies. The species was described by Williston in 1887. Like other horse flies, females are blood-feeders while males feed on nectar and pollen. The genus Hybomitra includes some of the fastest flying insects known.
Poeciloderas quadripunctatus
Poeciloderas quadripunctatus is a species of horse fly in the family Tabanidae. The species is distributed from Mexico to Argentina, with numerous records across Brazil. Like other tabanids, it belongs to a family of biting flies known for their blood-feeding behavior.