Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
The genus was originally proposed with the species Tabanus scitus (=carolinensis), T. annularis, and T. sexfasciata (=annularis), with only Hamatabanus carolinensis and H. annularis of those now considered valid. Then Tabanus exilipalpis, T. quaesitus, and Stenotabanus floridensis were later moved to the genus by Burger (1995). Leaving presently a total of 5 species.
Numbers
5 spp. total, all in our area
(1)Identification
description and views needed for species identification
here.
Features that separate Hamatabanus from other genera are poorly defined. Only some species have a distinctly hooked flagellum.
Generally the females can be characterized by the eyes colored with single thin, diagonal purple stripe on a uniformly grayish or brown background, long pale hairs on the genae and adjacent areas, dark orange brown antennae, vertex with a dark area but without a tubercle, palpi slender in some species, subcallus always pruinose, wings at most darkened at the costa and without distinct spots, cell R5 open at wing margin, abdomen with at least median row of pale triangles or spots, frequently with dorsolateral spots as well, eyes only sometimes distinctly pilose, vein R4 only sometimes with a stump or spur vein.
