Tabanid Flies
What are they?
Of all the flies that we share space with, tabanids are perhaps the most annoying, for this family includes all those nasty greenheads, strawberry flies and deer flies that can make a summer day on the bayshore or in the coastal marshes such a misery. The females of most species have knife-like mouthparts which can leave nasty welts which are at first painful and later itchy. Larvae are maggot-like and live as aquatic predators of other invertebrates. As with so many biting insects, only the females bite, as the blood is needed to aid egg production.
Identification
As with several fly groups, males have eyes that meet on the top of the head, while the eyes of females do not meet. These are mostly rather stocky, heavy-bodied flies with delta-shaped wings. Body and eye color, wing markings and overall size and shape are all important for species identification.
Striped Horse Fly Tabanus lineola
A common 'greenhead' fly with remarkable, striped eyes. One of our commonest species during the summer months, especially in coastal marshes.
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Greenhead Fly Tabanus nigrovittatus
A common 'greenhead' fly found throughout the summer months, especially in coastal marshes.
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Black Horse Fly Tabanus atratus
An impressively oversized horse fly which fortunately appears not to be overly interested in biting humans! Adults can be over an inch long and truly fearsome-looking.
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