Pale Giant Horse Fly

Tabanus bovinus, sometimes called the pale giant horse-fly, is a species of biting horse-fly. As the scientific name suggests, it prefers bovine animals as the source of blood, although it may bite other kind of mammals as well. The insect is relatively large for a horse-fly, adults usually being 25–30 mm long. Like most other horseflies, its compound eyes are very colorful with stripe-like patterns. Its body and wings are mostly colored brownish gray. It is quite fast and an able flier, being capable of evading most attempts to swat it with ease. It bites humans infrequently, because of its preference of bovine animals.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of Pale Giant Horse Fly being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Tabanus sudeticus
• Tabanus bromius
• Tabanus glaucopis
• Hybomitra bimaculata
• Tabanus autumnalis
• Philipomyia aprica

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Diptera

Family

Tabanidae

Genus

Tabanus

Species

Tabanus bovinus

More species