Black Horse Fly
ExplorarInsectos
Black Horse Fly
tabanus atratus
The black horse fly (Tabanus atratus) is a large, striking insect native to North America, known for its formidable size and deep black coloration. While male black horse flies feed exclusively on plant nectar and pollen, females are infamous for their painful bites, which they use to obtain blood meals necessary for egg development. These powerful fliers are common sights around livestock, marshes, and damp pastures during the warmth of summer. Despite their intimidating presence and reputation as pests, they play a vital ecological role as pollinators and as a food source for various birds, frogs, and predatory insects.
Hábitat: Typically found near wet environments such as marshes, swamps, and ponds, as well as open pastures and woodlands where livestock are present.
Aspecto
The black horse fly is easily identified by its large size, typically measuring between 2.0 to 2.8 centimeters in length, and its entirely black or very dark brown body. Its large, broad wings are uniformly dark brown to black, and its massive compound eyes cover a significant portion of its head. In males, these eyes touch at the top of the head, whereas in females they are separated by a small gap. The stout body is covered in fine, dark hairs, giving it a matte or slightly velvety appearance.
ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenDipteraFamiliaTabanidaeGéneroTabanus
Categoría
InsectosRareza
Common
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Snaps
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Datos interesantes
Black horse flies are strongly attracted to dark, moving shapes and carbon dioxide, which is how they locate large mammalian hosts like horses and cattle.
Only female black horse flies bite; males lack the mouthparts required to pierce skin and feed solely on nectar and pollen.
Their larvae are highly predatory and possess sharp fangs with which they inject venom to paralyze small aquatic organisms and earthworms.
They are among the fastest flying insects, capable of reaching speeds that allow them to easily chase down running animals.
Habilidades especiales
Habilidad
Razor-Sharp Mouthparts
Females possess scissor-like mandibles that slice open the skin of hosts to lap up blood, rather than piercing like mosquitoes.
Habilidad
High-Speed Flight
They are exceptionally fast and agile fliers, capable of keeping pace with running mammals to secure a blood meal.
Habilidad
Polarized Light Navigation
They use specialized vision to detect polarized light, helping them locate water bodies for egg-laying and navigate their environment.
Medidas y detalles
- Tamaño de la puesta
- 100+
Dieta y alimentación
Adult males feed strictly on plant juices and nectar, whereas females require mammalian blood meals to develop their eggs; larvae are voracious predators of aquatic invertebrates.
Alimentos principales
- Mammalian blood
- Flower nectar
- Plant sap
- Aquatic insects
- Earthworms
Método de búsqueda
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Conexiones ecológicas
hunts
Domestic Cattle
Bos taurus
Female flies bite and feed on the blood of livestock for reproductive nourishment.
eaten by
Common Green Darner
Anax junius
Adult horse flies are captured on the wing and consumed by large dragonflies.
eaten by
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus
The larvae and occasionally adults of the fly are eaten by shorebirds foraging in muddy habitats.
Rasgos
Aún no hay insignias de rasgos asignadas a este objeto.
También conocido como
Todavía no hay alias listados.
Colecciones
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Seguridad
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cómo identificar a Black Horse Fly?
La forma más fácil de identificar a Black Horse Fly es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.
¿Qué come Black Horse Fly?
Adult males feed strictly on plant juices and nectar, whereas females require mammalian blood meals to develop their eggs; larvae are voracious predators of aquatic invertebrates.
¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Black Horse Fly?
Typically found near wet environments such as marshes, swamps, and ponds, as well as open pastures and woodlands where livestock are present.
¿Cómo caza Black Horse Fly?
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¿Cuál es el tamaño de la puesta de Black Horse Fly?
100+
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