You may be wondering, “What do horse flies look like?” There are three main components of this insect, the Antennae, the Eyes, and the Mouth. To help you better identify the horse fly, let’s first examine where it lives: freshwater and saltwater marshes. In addition, these insects can be found in decomposing wood and moist forest soil. Female horse flies lay their eggs on wet soil or vegetation overhanging water. They develop larvae from the eggs, which look similar to house fly maggots.
Antennae
Antennae are the parts of the insect that sense touch. A horse fly’s antennae are divided into two segments: the pedicel and the funiculus. The pedicel is the longest segment and is flat and covered with microtrichia. The pedicel has a bristle that functions as a mechanoreceptor. The funiculus is made up of five different surfaces, including the anterior, posterior, and posteroventral surfaces.
The horse fly has two species, the male and the female. Both species are present in both freshwater and saltwater marshes. Horse flies can also live in decomposing wood and moist forest soils. Female horse flies lay their eggs in vegetation overhanging water. The larvae of the horse fly feed on organic matter and resemble house fly maggots.
Eyes
Horse flies are known for their beautiful, contrastingly-coloured eyes. They are filled with hundreds or even thousands of light-sensitive columns, known as ommatidia. They are usually visible only on the outside of the eye, but together form a broad compound eye that covers the majority of the fly’s head.
Horse flies are very similar to deer flies, but they are larger and have larger eyes and smaller bodies. These insects are medium to large in size and have clear wings. While deer flies have dark bands on their wings, horse flies do not have dark bands on their wings. Both types of horse and deer flies feed on plant nectars and pollen.
Mouth
Horse flies are a serious threat to horses and humans. Their bites are not only painful, but also cause infection. Horse flies have a knife-like mouth that sucks the blood from its victim. They may also cause allergic reactions, dizziness, or weakness. Fortunately, there are several treatments available that can relieve pain and swelling caused by horse fly bites.
Horse flies usually bite mammals in their natural habitats, which are low-level pastures, fields, and heavily saturated soil. Female horse flies need a blood meal to reproduce. Their mouthparts are long enough to tear the skin, unlike mosquitoes, which only pierce it.
Habitat
Horse flies can be found almost anywhere, but they prefer warm, moist areas where they can breed and lay their eggs. They are often found in pastureland, especially in areas near water sources, like a creek or a river. During warm weather, they can even be found in weedy areas and long grass. While they do not feed indoors, they can occasionally wander into open doors or windows. To get rid of them, use a flyswatter or insecticide.
Horse flies are a major pest of livestock and wildlife. The adult female flies are fast-flying and feed on blood from animals. They are a nuisance to humans and other animals, and can be highly infectious. Some species can carry diseases, including anthrax, anaplasmosis, and tularemia. Horse flies are also a major problem because their bites can be painful.
Symptoms
Horse flies bites can cause extensive skin damage and an infection. They are not harmful to humans, but they can be harmful to horses and dogs. Horseflies are also capable of transmitting contagious horse anemia. This can lead to general weakness and bleeding. If you or your horse has an infestation, it is essential to treat it immediately. If you are not sure how to treat the infestation, consult a veterinarian or licensed pest control professional.
The first step is to make sure the fly bite is not infected. You can use a cold compress or wash it thoroughly. If possible, avoid scratching the bite. The symptoms should clear up within a few hours. If the fly bites are not treated quickly, you may end up with an infection.
Control
Horse flies can be a difficult pest to control. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to eliminate them. Understanding the life cycle of these insects is an important first step. They have four different stages: the egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Before they can lay eggs, the females need to feed on blood. Blood is essential because it contains the protein they need to grow. In addition, flies find horses via sight and scent. The scent can travel long distances and be carried by wind.
Fly sprays are a safe and effective way to control horse flies. The spray should be applied to the affected area in a light mist. It is important to avoid spraying the eyes and mucous membranes, and to follow the instructions on the label. Horse fly sprays can be combined with other insecticides to provide complete broad-spectrum control. Two common options are Flex 10-10, a potent insecticide liquid concentrate, and Pivot IGR, an insect growth regulator that targets undeveloped stages of flies.