The Greenhead fly, Horse fly, Deer fly and the Yellow fly of the Tabanus nigrovittatus, are abundant and bothersome summertime pests .Because the females bite during daylight, and because they occur in large numbers, have a long flight range, and attack persistently, they interfere with the enjoyment of coastal areas and effect farm and ranch operations throughout much of the summer.
To produce additional egg masses, the female needs a blood meal. Among biting flies, blood serves as a rich protein source necessary for egg development. The protein for the first egg mass is obtained when the predaceous larva eats other insect larvae or small animals, but to lay additional egg masses she must obtain a blood meal which provides the needed protein.
Adult female flies move from the wetted areas to nearby beaches, wooded or open areas to seek suitable blood sources. There they await and attack wildlife, livestock, and people that venture close enough for them to detect. Females live for three to four weeks before they become too weak to bite. Because of this long life, larger numbers of' blood hungry biting flies build up. The physical removal of large numbers of flies reduces this buildup therefore decreasing the biting fly problem.
Rutgers study - "The Greenhead and You"
Where Biting Flies Come From:
Tabanus flies reproduce near coastal marshes, manure piles and boggy wet areas. Developing larvae concentrate along the upper few inches of the vegetation or manure zone which are continually wetted. Foraging through wet thatch, surface muck, manure, and vegetation, the predaceous larvae attack and devour a variety of invertebrates, including some of their own kind. Larvae overwinter and form a pupa after a brief period of spring foraging. The adult emerges from the pupa in late spring. Adult flies mate on the open marshes, manure plies and vegetation. Within a few days and without seeking a blood meal, the female lays her first egg mass, consisting of 100 to 200 eggs. To produce additional egg masses, the female needs a blood meal. Among biting flies, blood serves as a rich protein source necessary for egg development. The protein for the first egg mass is obtained when the predaceous larva eats other insect larvae or small animals, but to lay additional egg masses she must obtain a blood meal which provides the needed protein.
Adult female flies move from the wetted areas to nearby beaches, wooded or open areas to seek suitable blood sources. There they await and attack wildlife, livestock, and people that venture close enough for them to detect. Females live for three to four weeks before they become too weak to bite. Because of this long life, larger numbers of' blood hungry biting flies build up. The physical removal of large numbers of flies reduces this buildup therefore decreasing the biting fly problem.
FOR EVERY FLY YOU TRAP, THERE IS ONE LESS FEMALE FLY TO BITE AND LAY 100s OF EGGS.