American Horse Fly vs Caterpillar Tachinid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Horse Fly | Caterpillar Tachinid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tabanus americanus | Lydella thompsoni |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Tachinidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Farmland |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Eastern and central United States | Europe, North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Horse Fly
One of the largest horse flies in North America with a dark brown body and conspicuous green or purple iridescent eyes. Females deliver a painful slashing bite to obtain blood meals.
Did You Know?
Its knife-like mouthparts slice open skin rather than piercing it, which is why horse fly bites bleed so freely.
Caterpillar Tachinid
A small gray parasitic fly that attacks European corn borer larvae. It was introduced to North America as a biological control agent.
Did You Know?
Females deposit live larvae rather than eggs directly onto the host caterpillar.