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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Orthorrhapha » Tabanomorpha » Horse and Deer Flies (Tabanidae) » Horse Flies (Tabaninae) » Tabanini » Tabanus » Black Horse Fly (Tabanus atratus)
Photo#206598
Some type of fly? - Tabanus atratus
Copyright © 2008 cookie1234

Some type of fly? - Tabanus atratus
Lake County, Illinois, USA
July 18, 2008
Size: Approx. 1.5"
I was so surprised to see this large insect sitting on a railing over a local pond. I was particuarly amazed by that corkscrew appendage on his face (a stinger?). Is this a fly? I wonder too if it had been injured since it didn't fly away when I approached (although it did move around). I also thought it unusual, if it is a fly, that there was no iridescence whatsoever--it was all dull black. Can you help? Thanks!
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Contributed by cookie1234 on 27 July, 2008 - 8:37am
Last updated 21 August, 2011 - 1:06pm

Moved
Moved from Horse Flies.
… Keith Bayless, 21 August, 2011 - 1:06pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Horse and Deer Flies.
… Keith Bayless, 17 March, 2010 - 5:07pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Flies.
… Matthias Buck, 7 August, 2008 - 4:11pm login or register to post comments

Horse Fly
maybe male Black Horse Fly, but I'm no expert.
… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 27 July, 2008 - 9:39am login or register to post comments

 
To Hannah Nendick-Mason
Thanks! I must have been under the misconception that horse flies cannot get this large.
… cookie1234, 28 July, 2008 - 7:04am login or register to post comments

 
Second.
Ouch! I really despise horse flies. XD

But I agree that this is likely a black horsefly.
… Jonas Insinga, 27 July, 2008 - 9:55am login or register to post comments

 
To Jonas Insinga
Thanks for taking the time to answer. I still wonder if that front corkscrew appendage is a stinger. Does anyone know?
… cookie1234, 28 July, 2008 - 7:05am login or register to post comments

 
That must be the antennae
the angle of the shot has the two reading as one - I agree, it does look like a corkscrew from this angle!



Stingers are modified ovipositors (egg-laying devices) so they are always on the rear end of creatures that have them. I don't think any files do - they always bite.
… Hannah Nendick-Mason, 28 July, 2008 - 7:44am login or register to post comments

 
Certainly do have a lot to learn
. . . don't I! thanks for explaining. (I just realized I had indicated that this fly was an 1". It really was closer to 1.5" (and no! that's not a "fish story")!
… cookie1234, 28 July, 2008 - 2:03pm login or register to post comments

 
In fact
Since this appears to be a male, it does not even have a 'biter'. They like nectar and water I think. I have seen only a few Black males.
… Herschel Raney, 28 July, 2008 - 11:19am login or register to post comments

 
Doesn't have a "biter"
and likes its sweets. I could also like him. Ho! Seriously, though, thanks for the info! It certainly is appreciated!
… cookie1234, 28 July, 2008 - 2:06pm login or register to post comments

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