Where Do Horse Flies Come From?
Horse flies are dangerous and can infect both people and animals. Their bites are painful because the mouthparts rip into the skin. Some people may be allergic to the bites, while others might develop a secondary infection at the bite site. Horse flies do not transmit disease to humans, but they can spread diseases to livestock and horses.
Horse flies are a serious nuisance for livestock. They can cause painful bites and can reduce the production of milk in cattle. They can also interfere with grazing. When an animal is attacked, it will congregate together to try to escape the flies. However, when the flies bite, a large amount of blood is lost. According to Wells and Webb, a single horse fly may consume approximately 1 cc of blood during a feeding session. This equates to a drop of blood every two to six hours.
Horse flies can be found in rural and urban areas with bodies of water. They are a type of arthropod and are classified as Diptera, Hybomitra, and Tabanus. In addition to being blood-feeding, they also collect pollen from other insects. They lay their eggs in moist soil or vegetation overhanging water. The eggs hatch within two to three days and the adult flies emerge from the pupae in late spring.
Horse flies have a very narrow range of flight. Their maximum range is about 5-10 miles, so most of the time they remain close to their breeding grounds. Nevertheless, they can cause a lot of stress for horses and livestock. They can even cause the animals to lose weight.