Furrowed Horse Fly (Tabanus sulcifrons)

Insect · GBIF taxon 1499169

Furrowed Horse Fly

Tabanus sulcifrons

Also known as Autumn Horse Fly, Brown Horse Fly

Furrowed horse flies are robust insects recognized by their patterned brown bodies and large compound eyes. While females use specialized blade-like mouthparts to cut host skin for blood meals needed to develop eggs, males feed strictly on plant nectar and pollen. Larvae develop in damp soil along stream margins and moist pastures, hunting other small aquatic invertebrates.

InsectBitingDiurnal

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Licensed reference(c) Gemma Wyatt & Sean Riha, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

—observations

—countries

—peak records

Not EvaluatedConservation status

Key facts

Diet & prey

Mammalian blood
Floral nectar
Plant sap

Predators

Birds
Dragonflies
Robber flies

ThreatsPesticide application and wetland drainage

HabitatsPastures, fields, moist woodlands, and stream margins

Life span1 to 2 years

Size / weightNot available

Classification

OrderDiptera
FamilyTabanidae
GenusTabanus
SpeciesTabanus sulcifrons

Range & activity

Range data is not available yet.

Safe observation

Interaction riskLow

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is low: Females deliver painful bites to cut skin for blood; wear long sleeves and repellent near pastures.
Why it is dangerous: Females possess sharp mouthparts capable of slicing skin to draw blood, causing painful swelling and irritation.
How to recognize a risky encounter: Recognize by its large brown body, banded wings, and metallic green or bronze compound eyes.
What to do: Maintain distance outdoors, wear insect repellent, and avoid lingering near warm livestock or wet field edges.

Responsible observation

Protecting skin: Wear light-colored, thick long sleeves, as dark moving targets attract hunting females.
Observing males: Look for males resting on sunlit leaves near water where they sip nectar without biting.