These are sturdy flies with large compound eyes. Females normally feed on the blood of large mammals, which they bite using a stylet, while males feed only on nectar.
The Tabanidae – Horse Flies
Tabanidae, commonly known as horse flies, are robust, powerful flies often dreaded for their painful bites. Only females bite, as they require blood to develop their eggs. Their sharp mouthparts enable them to pierce the skin to feed. Males, on the other hand, feed only on nectar. The larvae, which may be aquatic or terrestrial, are often predatory. Horse flies are mostly active during summer and frequent wetlands, meadows, or open forests. While they can be a nuisance to humans and animals, they are also excellent subjects for nature photography due to their large, colorful eyes and precise flight.
