Mydas Fly vs Striped Horse Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mydas Fly | Striped Horse Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gauromydas heros | Tabanus lineola |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Mydidae | Tabanidae |
| Size | 40-60 mm body | 12-16 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Farmland |
| Diet | Detritivores | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | South America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Mydas Fly
The largest fly in the world at up to 60 mm long with a 100 mm wingspan. A wasp mimic with black body and orange-red markings. Larvae develop in ant nests.
Did You Know?
At 6 cm long with a 10 cm wingspan, this is the worlds largest fly — it mimics a spider wasp so convincingly that even entomologists can be fooled at first glance.
Striped Horse Fly
A medium-sized horse fly with a pale dorsal stripe on the abdomen. Females are persistent blood-feeders on livestock and horses.
Did You Know?
Female horse flies can extract up to 0.5 ml of blood in a single feeding.