Horse Fly

Category: Flies

Scientific Name: Tabanus spp.

 

Identification:

Color: Dark gray or black

Size: 10-30 mm long

Region: Found throughout North America

Lifespan: 1-3 years

Important Considerations:

  • Horse flies are very good flyers and can fly up to 30 miles.
  • In order to reproduce, females need to feed on blood. For this reason, they bite humans and animals.
  • Horse fly bites can be very painful. In addition, horse flies are very persistent and may chase a host if they shoo them off and try to run away.

 

Where to Find Them on Your Property?

Horse flies are most often found in rural areas where there is abundant livestock present to feed on. They often live in forests. They are most often seen on hot, windless days.