The American Horse Fly is one of the largest flies in North America, with iridescent green eyes and a robust dark body. Only females blood-feed, using scissor-like mouthparts to slash through skin — causing painful, slow-bleeding wounds. They are persistent biters around horses, cattle, and humans near water. Males feed solely on nectar.
Habitat
Fields, forests, and wetland margins
Diet
Females: blood of large mammals. Males: nectar. Larvae: aquatic predators
How common
Common
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