Fauna
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
Furrowed Horse Fly reference1 / 2
Licensed reference(c) Gemma Wyatt & Sean Riha, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
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
Classification
  1. OrderDiptera
  2. FamilyTabanidae
  3. GenusTabanus
  4. SpeciesTabanus sulcifrons
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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Mystic Meadows

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