Haematopota pluvialis
Encyclopedia
Haematopota pluvialis, the Common Horse Fly or 'Notch-horned Cleg Fly', is a species belonging to the family Tabanidae subfamily Tabaninae.
This species is present in most of Europe
, in the Near East
and in eastern Palearctic ecozone.
The adult females grow up to 12 millimetre (0.47244094488189 in) long and can be encountered during the daylight hours from late May through late August.
The large compound eyes necessary for locating their preys are brightly colored. The thorax is grey, with black longitudinal stripes. The abdomen has clearer bands at the end of each black segment. Also the wings have a distinctive pattern, being dark mottled by several clear spots. Legs are black, with yellowish-brown rings.
The females feed on mammal blood (hematophagy
) (hence the Latin name Haematopota pluvialis, literally meaning 'blooddrinker of the rains'), needing blood for developing eggs. When they bite they inject fluids inhibiting the coagulation. In such a way blood flows out, allowing the horsefly to lap it. They are also able to bite people painfully.
This species is present in most of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, in the Near East
Near East
The Near East is a geographical term that covers different countries for geographers, archeologists, and historians, on the one hand, and for political scientists, economists, and journalists, on the other...
and in eastern Palearctic ecozone.
The adult females grow up to 12 millimetre (0.47244094488189 in) long and can be encountered during the daylight hours from late May through late August.
The large compound eyes necessary for locating their preys are brightly colored. The thorax is grey, with black longitudinal stripes. The abdomen has clearer bands at the end of each black segment. Also the wings have a distinctive pattern, being dark mottled by several clear spots. Legs are black, with yellowish-brown rings.
The females feed on mammal blood (hematophagy
Hematophagy
Hematophagy is the practice of certain animals of feeding on blood...
) (hence the Latin name Haematopota pluvialis, literally meaning 'blooddrinker of the rains'), needing blood for developing eggs. When they bite they inject fluids inhibiting the coagulation. In such a way blood flows out, allowing the horsefly to lap it. They are also able to bite people painfully.