The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)
Affiliated to the British Entomological and Natural History Society (BENHS)
You are not logged in.
#1 2010-07-21 22:22:14
- peteandrew77
- Registered user
- Name: Array Array
- Registered: 2010-07-21
- Posts: 2
Unidentified Tabanid - help please!
Hi all,
Yesterday evening I saw the fly pictured below on the cow that I was treating. The cow was collapsed and being feasted on by a multitude of biting flies; however, the wee beasty pictured below was the largest biting fly (by some margin) that I have ever seen in the UK. I squashed it, primarily so it would not bite the cow (or myself!)
I have identified it as a Tabanid (I think), but further than that I am stuck.
The fly was observed in pasture in mid-Hampshire in the evening.
Size - head to abdomen (not inc antennae) 24mm; wingspan estimated 52mm
Many thanks for looking and helping.
Peter Andrew MRCVS
Offline
#2 2010-07-21 22:43:41
- Mark
- DF Members
- Name: Mark Mitchell
- From: Hampshire
- Registered: 2008-06-17
- Posts: 194
Re: Unidentified Tabanid - help please!
Tabanus sudeticus
Offline
#3 2010-07-22 11:04:03
- peteandrew77
- Registered user
- Name: Array Array
- Registered: 2010-07-21
- Posts: 2
Re: Unidentified Tabanid - help please!
Thank you Mark.
Is it commonly found in the UK? I have only recently moved to the South East, but the senior partner at my practice was surprised to see it in the UK.
Cheers
Pete
Offline
#4 2010-07-23 23:42:13
- falky
- Registered user
- Name: Steven Falk
- From: Kenilworth
- Registered: 2009-11-30
- Posts: 324
Re: Unidentified Tabanid - help please!
Pete,
Sudeticus is widespread but rather localised in the west and north. I've seen lots in the New Forest this year. Infact I had one of my best tabanid experiences there a few weeks ago. Left the car engine running along the drive to Denny Wood with two doors open. The car acted as a giant malaise trap, CO2 from the exhaust attracting dozens of tabanids. After about 30 minutes I'd screened over 100 individuals representing 7 species!
Falky
Offline