Tabanidae

• Also known as horse flies

• Large flies

• Found worldwide

• Attack a wide variety of animals, including humans

• Important veterinary species are
  • Tabanus
  • Chrysops
  • Haematopota

Recognition

• 2.5cm long

• Biting mouthparts
  • Short, strong and down pointing proboscis
  • Only females suck blood

• Dark colour with stripes or patches of colour on body and wings

• Large eyes
  • Often brightly coloured

• Specific wing venation
  • Closed discal cell shape

• Stout

Life Cycle

• Eggs laid on leaves overhanging water

• Larvae drop into water

• 1 year later larvae emerge onto dry land to pupate

• Adult flies emerge a few weeks after pupating

• Life cycle takes over 1 year to complete

Pathogenesis

• Most active on hot, sunny days

• Locate prey by sight

• Cause painful irritating bites

• Mechanical vectors for many diseases
  • Bacteria such as anthrax and pasteurellosis
  • Viruses such as Equine infectious anaemia and African horse sickness
  • Rickettsiales, such as anaplasmosis

• Intermediate hosts for some trypanosome diseases