American Horse Fly vs Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Horse Fly | Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tabanus americanus | Promachus rufipes |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | 15-30 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Meadows |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Eastern and central United States | North America, Europe |
| 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.
Robber Fly
Aggressive aerial predators that catch other insects in flight. Inject prey with neurotoxic saliva that paralyzes and liquefies internal organs for consumption.
Did You Know?
Robber flies are such efficient aerial predators that they have been recorded catching dragonflies, wasps, and even other robber flies in mid-air.