Striped Horse Fly
Tabanus lineola
This record describes Tabanus lineola (species). Recorded family: Tabanidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Females | pale median stripe on abdomen bordered by dark submedian stripes; eyes with 3 green bands; scutellum concolorous with thorax |
| Males | body pattern similar to females; eyes bare (no hairs) with large upper facets sharply differentiated from smaller lower facets; costal cell of wing clear; prescutal lobe paler than rest of thorax; palps white Inland, the commonest of the striped horseflies; on coastal salt marshes the other species in the complex are far more abundant. Females attack humans and other mammals. Males may come to lights. With known pathogenic transmission of Vesicular stomatitis virus, a pathogen of animals that can also infect humans; Hog cholera virus, a disease that is only pathogenic to pigs and relatives; Anaplasma marginale , a bacteria that affects cattle; and Trypanosoma evansi . |
Wikipedia reference for Tabanus lineola: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabanus_lineola.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Adults can be anywhere, commoner near larval habitats. Larvae in wet soil.
Geographic Range
ON to FL-TX
Seasonal Activity
Summer in north expanding to all year in southern Florida
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Both males and females feed on sugars for flight energy; females suck vertebrate blood for egg development
Life History
Eggs may develop to adults in less than 1 year in southern Florida; elsewhere probably 1-2 years. Adults probably live for 1-2 weeks
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Tabanus lineola Fabricius 1794
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Tabanus lineola. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Striped Horse Fly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony; Additional contributions by Bbarnd , v belov , Chuck Sexton , Arturo Santos
Frequently Asked Questions About Striped Horse Fly
What is Striped Horse Fly?
Striped Horse Fly (Tabanus lineola) is a species in the family Tabanidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Striped Horse Fly?
10-16 mm
How do you identify Striped Horse Fly?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Females | pale median stripe on abdomen bordered by dark submedian stripes; eyes with 3 green bands; scutellum concolorous with thorax |
| Males | body pattern similar to females; eyes bare (no hairs) with large upper facets sharply differentiated from smaller lower facets; costal cell of wing clear; prescutal lobe paler than rest of thorax; palps white |
Where is Striped Horse Fly found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Adults can be anywhere, commoner near larval habitats. Larvae in wet soil. |
| Range | ON to FL-TX |
What does Striped Horse Fly eat?
The diet of the Striped Horse Fly includes Both males and females feed on sugars for flight energy; females suck vertebrate blood for egg development.
When is Striped Horse Fly active?
Striped Horse Fly: seasonal activity - Summer in north expanding to all year in southern Florida.
What is the life cycle of a Striped Horse Fly?
Eggs may develop to adults in less than 1 year in southern Florida; elsewhere probably 1-2 years. Adults probably live for 1-2 weeks