A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Haematopota pluvialis
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)
My garden
Spotted on Jun 27, 2012
Submitted on Jun 28, 2012
11 Comments
Thank you very much Satyen and António :)
wow Jeannette,great cache ,super eyes,i never se that pattern in the eyes of nothing :)congratulations
Wow! Lovely eyes!
Thank you very much Stian and Johan :)
Very nice. Thanks for sharing!
Great pictures Jeannette!
Thank you very much Jolly :)
Nice one Jeannette. Very beautiful.
Thank you very much ArgyBee :)
Yes, quite exotic looking for Denmark, but a very nasty fly....
That's an amazing fly Jeannette. Incredible eyes and wing markings. Good spotting.
Thank you very much Francis :)