Explanation of Names
Tabanus is the Latin name used by the Romans for a kind of biting fly- probably the Gadfly, Tabanus bovinus
Numbers
108 taxa in NA (107 spp. 1 ssp.)
Identification
This is a diverse genus, some representative views of different species are:
The 6 views shown below should enable any North American tabanid (Tabanus, Hybomitra and other Tabanid genera) to be identified to species:
1 -
dorsal view of entire fly to show abdominal pattern
2 -
lateral view of entire fly to show leg colour
3 -
face view to show frons, calli, eye pattern, and palps
4 -
frontal/lateral view of face to show antennae, palps, and eye pattern
5 -
lateral view of face to show antennae, palps, and eye pattern
6 -
wing to show spots (if any) and colour of wing membrane
Range
Most species in the south of NA (USA); only 30 spp. in Canada and Alaska
Habitat
Adults wide ranging; larvae in wetlands including salt marshes
Season
Throughout year in Florida, spring and summer further north
Food
Larvae carnivorous, adult females suck vertebrate blood, males and females imbibe plant sugars.
Life Cycle
Larvae make take several years to develop
Remarks
Genus 1 (of 6) in the Tribe: Tabanini (which is Tribe 3 of the Subfamily: Tabaninae).
The 108 taxa (107 spp., 1 ssp.) are mostly southern (USA) compared to the mostly northern (Canada) genus Hybomitra. For example, Virginia has an estimated 53 spp. of Tabanus and 11 spp. of Hybomitra, whereas New Brunswick has 8 spp. of Tabanus and 20 spp. of Hybomitra.
Very few photos of adults; great opportunity for photographers to make a significamt contribution.
Contributed by
Tony Thomas on 16 February, 2005 - 3:39pm
Additional contributions by
cotinis,
Chuck EntzLast updated 1 October, 2007 - 10:59am
