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Common Horse Fly

Haematopota pluvialis

Description:

The large compound eyes necessary for locating their preys are brightly colored. The thorax is grey, with black longitudinal stripes. The abdomen has clearer bands at the end of each black segment. Also the wings have a distinctive pattern, being dark mottled by several clear spots. Legs are black, with yellowish-brown rings. The females feed on mammal blood (hematophagy) (hence the Latin name Haematopota pluvialis, literally meaning 'blooddrinker of the rains'), needing blood for developing eggs. When they bite they inject fluids inhibiting the coagulation. In such a way blood flows out, allowing the horsefly to lap it. They are also able to bite people painfully.(Wiki)

Notes:

My garden


No species ID suggestions

11 Comments

Jeannette
Jeannette 10 months ago

Thank you very much Satyen and António :)

AntónioGinjaGinja
AntónioGinjaGinja 10 months ago

wow Jeannette,great cache ,super eyes,i never se that pattern in the eyes of nothing :)congratulations

SatyenM
SatyenM 10 months ago

Wow! Lovely eyes!

Jeannette
Jeannette 10 months ago

Thank you very much Stian and Johan :)

JohanHeyns
JohanHeyns 10 months ago

Very nice. Thanks for sharing!

Stian Waaler
Stian Waaler 10 months ago

Great pictures Jeannette!

Jeannette
Jeannette 10 months ago

Thank you very much Jolly :)

Jolly Ibañez
Jolly Ibañez 10 months ago

Nice one Jeannette. Very beautiful.

Jeannette
Jeannette 10 months ago

Thank you very much ArgyBee :)

Yes, quite exotic looking for Denmark, but a very nasty fly....

Argy Bee
Argy Bee 10 months ago

That's an amazing fly Jeannette. Incredible eyes and wing markings. Good spotting.

Jeannette
Jeannette 10 months ago

Thank you very much Francis :)

Denmark

Lat: 55.65, Long: 12.30

Spotted on Jun 27, 2012
Submitted on Jun 28, 2012

Spotted for missions

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Common Horse Fly Horse fly Horse-fly Haematopota pluvialis

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