Horsefly - Tabanus gladiator - BugGuide.Net

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Photo#5809

Copyright © 2004 Erik Blosser

Horsefly - Tabanus gladiator

Newport News, Virginia, USA
August 12, 2004

This large horsefly had some trouble flying due to a torn wing and allowed me to get fairly close. I was wondering if anyone could give me more information on ID.

Contributed by Erik Blosser on 13 August, 2004 - 3:55pm
Last updated 18 May, 2005 - 5:25am

image #5809, #5810

Tabanus gladiator, female.
Definitely not the Black Horse Fly (T.atratus). I'm not 100% sure of the id. but the apparent large size, the orange brown colour and lavender thorax, lightly-spotted wings, leg colour, contrasting abdomen (ventral) with the thorax, and the deeply indented antennae are highly suggestive of gladiator. A "late-season species" found in the SE USA.

… Tony-2, 13 February, 2005 - 3:38pm

I believe it's Black Horse Fl

I believe it's Black Horse Fly (Tabanus atratus). Just double check it after me. I am new to bugs. Charles

… Charles, 13 August, 2004 - 6:00pm

Thanks

Pictures of the Black Horse Fly do look similar, but I couldn't find any pictures with the red on the abdomen like the one in my picture. Does anyone know if this is common in this species?

… Erik Blosser, 14 August, 2004 - 1:41pm

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