Post by trehopr1 on Sept 11, 2019 9:52:50 GMT
Flies of various families have always fascinated me! There are just so many cool ones... Robber flies, Bee flies, Flower flies, and Horseflies just to mention a few... I cannot say that I have ever really given them any undo attention as regards collecting however, I do not pass up opportunities at capturing some where I can.
Case in point the Tabanidae (Horseflies/Deerflies). Here, in America we have a lot of species and it's not unusual to have them flying about you in a field whilst your looking for other things. Of coarse, farm areas and stables are best in terms of the variety one will encounter.
Of all the omnipresent species one tends to see around rural situations it is this species: the American Horse Fly (Tabanus americanus) which surely garners the most unsettling looks and responses. It is huge.... simply put ! In fact, what you see before you is THE largest extant species of horsefly known.
My particular specimen was actually caught by a friend who was on holiday in the state of Georgia a few years ago. It fully measures 31mm long from antennae to abdomen tip. Further, it measures 17mm wide across the abdomen area. In life, the head of this species is absolutely "Emerald green" in coloration. The fly itself makes a fairly loud (audible) drone as it seeks out a suitable place to light. The lower areas of horses and other livestocks legs seems to be preferred. I have actually seen corralled horse trot away from one of these offending vampires.
Surprisingly, this species is somewhat un-commonly seen as compared with the hordes of smaller species. Yet, its surely a nasty bitter regardless....
Another large species a little shy in size (compared to this one) is the Black Horse Fly (Tabanus atratus). Its a black looking devil and nasty in its own right but, far more commonly encountered than this "beast" among biting flies...
Case in point the Tabanidae (Horseflies/Deerflies). Here, in America we have a lot of species and it's not unusual to have them flying about you in a field whilst your looking for other things. Of coarse, farm areas and stables are best in terms of the variety one will encounter.
Of all the omnipresent species one tends to see around rural situations it is this species: the American Horse Fly (Tabanus americanus) which surely garners the most unsettling looks and responses. It is huge.... simply put ! In fact, what you see before you is THE largest extant species of horsefly known.
My particular specimen was actually caught by a friend who was on holiday in the state of Georgia a few years ago. It fully measures 31mm long from antennae to abdomen tip. Further, it measures 17mm wide across the abdomen area. In life, the head of this species is absolutely "Emerald green" in coloration. The fly itself makes a fairly loud (audible) drone as it seeks out a suitable place to light. The lower areas of horses and other livestocks legs seems to be preferred. I have actually seen corralled horse trot away from one of these offending vampires.
Surprisingly, this species is somewhat un-commonly seen as compared with the hordes of smaller species. Yet, its surely a nasty bitter regardless....
Another large species a little shy in size (compared to this one) is the Black Horse Fly (Tabanus atratus). Its a black looking devil and nasty in its own right but, far more commonly encountered than this "beast" among biting flies...
