Black Horse Fly

Natural Habitat

Marshy areas, wetlands, and wooded edges where larval development occurs in moist soil

Diet & Feeding

Adult females feed on the blood of large mammals including horses and cattle; males feed on nectar and pollen

Behavior Patterns

Diurnal active fliers that use visual cues and CO2 to track prey; females lay egg masses on vegetation overhanging water

Risks & Benefits

Females deliver a painful bite to humans and livestock and can transmit pathogens; they serve as a food source for birds and are minor pollinators

Identified on: 5/16/2026