American Horse Fly vs Thick-headed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Horse Fly | Thick-headed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tabanus americanus | Physocephala rufipes |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Conopidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | 8-14 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Eastern and central United States | 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.
Thick-headed Fly
A wasp-mimicking fly that parasitizes bumblebees by injecting eggs into them mid-flight.
Did You Know?
Infected bumblebees bury themselves in soil where the fly larva pupates.