Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Tabanus lineola Fabricius
none recent
Explanation of Names
specific epithet refers to the pale median stripe on abdomen of males and females
Identification
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
Range
Ontario to Maine, south to Texas and Florida
Habitat
Adults can be anywhere, commoner near larval habitats. Larvae in wet soil.
Season
Summer in north expanding to all year in southern Florida
Food
Both males and females feed on sugars for flight energy; females suck vertebrate blood for egg development
Life Cycle
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
Remarks
Species #54 of 107 NA species of Tabanus.
Inland, the commonest of the "striped horseflies"; on coastal salt marshes the other species in the complex are far more abundant. Females attack both humans and other mammals. Males may come to light at night, the male (12892/3) was at a motel light.
Internet References
Tony DiTerlizzi supplied the following reference:
Bruce D. Sutton is an entomologist who has done research on the Tabanus complex, including T. lineola.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information has an
article titled "The Daily flight activity of male Tabanus lineola var. Hinellus Philip (Diptera: Tabanidae) in the estuarine area of Louisiana."
Note Since this paper was written, hinellus has been elevated to a full species. The behaviour described may apply to lineola but probably not - they are different species in different habitats.
Contributed by
Tony Thomas on 16 February, 2005 - 4:53pm
Additional contributions by
Brad BarndLast updated 5 July, 2007 - 8:23pm
