Black Horse Fly vs Inland Floodwater Mosquito
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Black Horse Fly | Inland Floodwater Mosquito |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tabanus atratus | Aedes vexans |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Tabanidae | Culicidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | 4-7 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern United States from the Great Plains to the Atlantic coast | Worldwide except Antarctica |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Black Horse Fly
A very large entirely black horse fly and one of the biggest flies in North America. Females are persistent blood-feeders that can harass livestock and humans during summer months.
Did You Know?
Its larvae are aquatic predators that live in muddy pond bottoms and can take up to two years to complete development.
Inland Floodwater Mosquito
One of the most widespread and abundant mosquitoes globally, with a brownish body and narrow white bands on the hind tarsi. It is a major nuisance pest that emerges in massive numbers after flooding or heavy rains. It is a competent vector of Rift Valley fever virus and various encephalitis viruses.
Did You Know?
Its eggs can remain dormant in dry soil for years, hatching simultaneously after flooding to produce enormous swarms.