Deer fly

Deer fly
Deer fly
Chrysops callidus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Uniramia
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Tabanidae
Subfamily: Chrysopsinae
Tribe: Chrysopsini
Genus: Chrysops
Meigen, 1803
Species

Deer flies (also known as yellow flies) are flies in the genus Chrysops of the family Tabanidae that can be pests to cattle, horses, and humans. A distinguishing characteristic of a deer fly is patterned gold or green eyes.[1]

Deer flies are a genus that belongs to the family commonly called horse-flies (Tabanidae). They are smaller than wasps, and they have coloured eyes and dark bands across their wings. While female deer flies feed on blood, males instead collect pollen. When feeding, females use knife-like mandibles and maxillae to make a cross-shaped incision and then lap up the blood. Their bite can be extremely painful, and allergic reaction from the saliva of the fly can result in further discomfort and health concerns. Pain and itch are the most common symptoms, but more significant allergic reactions can develop.[2]

They are often found in damp environments, such as wetlands or forests. They lay clusters of shiny black eggs on the leaves of small plants by water. The aquatic larvae feed on small insects and pupate in the mud at the edge of the water.[1][3] Adults are potential vectors of tularemia, anthrax and loa loa filariasis.

Predators of the deer fly (and other Tabanidae) include nest-building wasps and hornets, dragonflies, and some birds including the killdeer.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Milne, Lorus and Margery (1980). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.. p. 651. ISBN 0-394-50763-0. 
  2. ^ Bartlett, Kristen (1999). "Deer & Horse Flies". http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/deerhorseflies.html. Retrieved 2008-10-09. 
  3. ^ Stubbs, A. and Drake, M. (2001). British Soldierflies and Their Allies: A Field Guide to the Larger British Brachycera. British Entomological & Natural History Society. p. 512 pp. ISBN 1899935045. 

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • deer fly — deer′ fly n. ent any of several tabanid flies of the genus Chrysops, the female of which is a vector of tularemia • Etymology: 1850–55, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • deer fly — any of several tabanid flies of the genus Chrysops, the female of which is a vector of tularemia in deer, livestock, and humans. [1850 55, Amer.] * * * deer fly noun A bloodsucking fly that attacks deer and can transmit diseases such as… …   Useful english dictionary

  • deer-fly fever — noun : tularemia * * * deer fly fever «DIHR FLY», = tularemia. (Cf. ↑tularemia) …   Useful english dictionary

  • deer fly — noun 1》 a bloodsucking louse fly which is a parasite of deer. [Lipoptena cervi.] 2》 a bloodsucking horsefly which attacks large mammals and can transmit various diseases. [Genus Chrysops.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • deer fly — any of several tabanid flies of the genus Chrysops, the female of which is a vector of tularemia in deer, livestock, and humans. [1850 55, Amer.] * * * …   Universalium

  • deer fly — see Chrysops * * * Chrysops discalis …   Medical dictionary

  • deer fly — see Chrysops …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • deer fly fever — Med., Vet. Med. tularemia. [1935 40] * * * …   Universalium

  • deer fly fever — tularemia …   Medical dictionary

  • deer fly fever — rabbit fever, tularemia, bacterial disease in animals which can be transmitted to humans by insects or by handling infected animals (symptoms include fever) …   English contemporary dictionary

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