Tabanus longiusculus
This record describes Tabanus longiusculus (species). Recorded family: Tabanidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females: abdomen dorsally with both median and sublateral pale spots or triangles, with a median row of triangles not forming a parallel-sided stripe; mesonotum not covered with golden-yellow hair and without longitudinal stripes; frons parallel-sided; length usually 12 mm or more; wings not distinctly mottled, without conspicuous isolated spots on crossveins and fork on R4+5; longitudinal wing veins not margined with brown; basal and medial calli separated; third antennal segment with annulate portion black; frons 4-5 times as high as wide basally, eyes in life purple with 2 narrow, green, transverse bands; basal flagellomere only slightly longer than broad; costal cell intensely yellow to brown; fore femora, apices of tibiae and tarsi, darkened; pterostigma dark brown
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AR-NC-FL-TX ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Tabanus longiusculus Hine 1907
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Tabanus longiusculus. 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 Tabanus longiusculus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Arturo Santos; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Tabanus longiusculus
What is Tabanus longiusculus?
Tabanus longiusculus is a species in the family Tabanidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Tabanus longiusculus?
Females: abdomen dorsally with both median and sublateral pale spots or triangles, with a median row of triangles not forming a parallel-sided stripe; mesonotum not covered with golden-yellow hair and without longitudinal stripes; frons parallel-sided; length usually 12 mm or more; wings not distinctly mottled, without conspicuous isolated spots on crossveins and fork on R4+5; longitudinal wing veins not margined with brown; basal and medial calli separated; third antennal segment with annulate portion black; frons 4-5 times as high as wide basally, eyes in life purple with 2 narrow, green, transverse bands; basal flagellomere only slightly longer than broad; costal cell intensely yellow to brown; fore femora, apices of tibiae and tarsi, darkened; pterostigma dark brown
Where is Tabanus longiusculus found?
Range: AR-NC-FL-TX ( 3 )