It is considered one of the most painful insects due to its bite, which can lead to painful swelling.
Horse-flies belong to the Tabanidae family within the order Diptera.
Let’s learn more about it from teketrek.
Facts about The Horse-flies:
The horse-flies is known for attacking humans, livestock, and pests, as it can transmit parasites.
The horse flies are a very brave insect, although it is not attractive in appearance, but it is very quick and agile.
The distance between the eyes can be used to distinguish between males and females, as well as the three-segmented antennae.
The virgin horse-flies head initially merges with its thorax and has a pair of respiratory spiracles resembling ear pinna.
The horse-flies specification:
Horsefly size: The adult horse-flies has a medium-sized body.
various colors such as brown, black, light red, green, and yellow.
It has lines on the abdomen and chest with different colors.
Color: Mouthparts: The mouthparts of the horse-flies are strong and cutting.
Wings:; It has wings ranging from 5 to 25 mm with a special pattern.
it also contains 5 cells under the edge and a completely encapsulated disc cell in the middle. The wings lack colored spots completely.
The abdomen: The pupal abdomen of the horsefly is characterized by the presence of eight cuttings placed side by side. The first of them contains respiratory stomata, and the second to sixth contains a row of spines facing backward. As for the last pedicle, it bears spiny appendages and is called the caudal pedicle.
For horsefly larvae: The larvae have a cylindrical, pointed body that has different colors. It is divided into eight minds, which are classified as follows:
3 thoracic brains and 8 ventral brains. It also contains pairs of pseudopodia located on the abdominal rings. The last ring contains a sucker on the dorsal side.
Horse-flies food:
Male horse-flies feed on pollen grains and nectar, as well as blood.
Therefore, their mouthparts are specially adapted for their diet.
They tear tissues and blood vessels, so their mouthparts resemble blades.
The horse-flies insect uses its mouthparts to suck blood.
In nature, both males and females have the same mouthparts, but the males’ mouthparts are slightly weaker than the females.
Horse-flies feed on lice and flies.
The larvae feed on decaying wood and small invertebrates found in moist soil.
where are horse-flies found:
Horse-flies are found in places where horses are present. This is because female horse-flies need a large amount of blood as a meal to produce eggs.
Additionally, horse-flies are found in areas with plants and flowers, to feed on nectar and lay their larvae under plants.
Reproduction stages of the horse-flies and its life cycle:
The horse-flies goes through stages and phases:
The horse-flies develops in swamps, freshwater pools, wood, and wetlands.
The female lays her eggs on moist soil and plants accumulating in water.
The larvae become active in soil and moist organic matter.
The number of stages ranges from 6 to 13 stages, and in winter, the larval stage ends and the pupal stage begins.
The pupal stage occurs in spring, lasting from a week to three weeks.
The female lays her larvae under plants, which hatch and fall off the leaf after two or three days.
After the pupal stage comes the emergence of the adult flies. You can find it between the end of spring and the beginning of summer.
FAQs about horse-fly bite
What diseases can be caused by a horse-fly bite?
Horse-flies can transmit many diseases, including:
Equine infectious anemia virus, resulting from horses losing large amounts of blood.
They also cause various diseases in animals, such as threadworm parasites.
They are also known as swamp fever, with symptoms including weight loss in horses, lethargy, and sometimes leading to death.
What are the symptoms of a horse-fly bite?
The bite site may experience itching, swelling, and redness.
Horse-fly bites can cause severe reactions in individuals with extreme allergies due to the anticoagulant saliva injected into the body.
They can cause swelling of the lips, swelling of the eyes, and dizziness.
What attracts horse flies to humans?
Female horse flies and deer flies are active during the day, and they are attracted to movement, shiny surfaces, carbon dioxide, and warmth. Once they land on a host, they use their knife-like mouthparts to slice the skin and feed on the blood that pools from the wound.
What keeps horse flies away from humans?
Burn Candles & Torches.If you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or outdoor gathering, you can effectively protect your guests from horse fly attacks by burning citronella candles and lighting torches. The smoke and scent from the citronella oil create a strong barrier that helps keep horse flies away, ensuring a comfortable atmosphere.
.How do I protect myself from horse flies?
Light-colored clothing is your best bet.
It reflects heat away from your body, effectively lowering your overall temperature, which can help deter horse flies. While they are most active during the peak heat of summer, it’s advisable to cover up as much as possible to minimize their attraction.
How long does a horse fly live?
30-60 days
Why are horse flies so aggressive?
The short answer is yes!While male horse flies feed on pollen and plant nectar, females are much more aggressive, seeking out and feeding on blood.
In conclusion, we must be cautious of horse-flies and avoid places where horses, wet areas, and freshwater are present as they pose a danger to animals and humans.
References:
Wikipedia
