Fly (Greenhead)(Tabamus sp)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class: Insecta (Insects)
Order: Diptera (Flies)
Family: Tabanidae (Horse and Deer Flies)
Subfamily: Tabaninae (Horse Flies)
Genus: Tabanus
Species: Tabamus sp
Common name: Greenhead, Horsefly
This is a large blood-sucking insect which feeds mainly on horses and cattle. Its large, sharp mouthparts can be seen beneath its head. These mouthparts are used for penetrating the skin of its prey. Its saliva has anticoagulant properties and wounds inflicted by this fly tend to be large, painful and long-lasting. Its huge compound eyes are seen at upper centre. Horseflies may reach lengths of around 25 millimetres, placing them amongst the largest of the flies.
Seen in Spring and summer. The larvae are carnivorous, The adult females suck vertebrate blood. In America the biting females are a considerable pest to both humans and animals while they seek a source of blood protein to produce additional eggs. Females live for three to four weeks and may lay about 100 to 200 eggs per blood meal. Males live for three to four weeks and may lay about 100 to 200 eggs per blood meal.
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