408 bytes added ,  17:07, 6 August 2010
no edit summary
Line 11: Line 11:  
Tabanidae flies are found throughout the world and although commonly being known as the horse fly they attack a wide variety of animals including humans. There are several species of veterinary importance;
 
Tabanidae flies are found throughout the world and although commonly being known as the horse fly they attack a wide variety of animals including humans. There are several species of veterinary importance;
 
*''Tabanus''
 
*''Tabanus''
*''Chrysops''
+
*''Chrysops'' also known as deerflies
*''Haematopota
+
*''Haematopota'' also known as clegs
       
==Recognition==
 
==Recognition==
Tabanidae flies are large flies, up to 2.5cm long with bodies that are usually dark in colour. They have broad heads with biting mouth parts and bulging eyes that are often brightly coloured.
+
Tabanidae flies are large flies, up to 2.5cm long with bodies that are usually dark in colour. They have broad heads with biting mouth parts and bulging eyes that are often brightly coloured. The mouthparts are adapted to biting a sucking blood, they consist of paired mandibles and maxillae which are used for cutting and rasping to create a feeding hole. Blood is then sucked using a protruding hypopharynx. The mouthparts are short and deal roughly with the host, this is often the cause of pain for the host. Only the female flies take a blood meal,
 
      
*Biting mouthparts
 
*Biting mouthparts
485

edits