Big Black Winged Insect
Location: Chincoteague, VA
August 8, 2011 7:47 pm
Hello,
This bug was on my car when I visited Chincoteague Island off the coast of Virginia. It was near the coast in the woods. Between 1 and 2 inches long. Any ideas?
Signature: Megan
Female Black Horse Fly
Dear Megan,
You have photographed a female Black Horse Fly, Tabanus atratus, the same species we posted a photo of yesterday after being snared in the web of a Golden Orbweaver. The eyes of female Horse Flies are spaced farther apart than those of the males which have no separation.
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Location: Virginia
Oh my gosh I just saw one of these monsters on my deck in Rhode Island. It seriously looks like a flying Darth Vader! Ugh…I tried to snap a pic, but it came after me so fast I rolled through my door like I was avoiding a sniper…not an easy feat for a 51 year old…Haha!
Fierce looking bug for sure.
Was driving home here in Georgia with window half way down, and nailed one of these females on the window jam. Must have been feeding cause I tore open the thorax which had red blood in it. And even though incapacitated, this horse fly was still able to crawl around for 5 mins in my car til I could pull over and remove it.. Terrified of stinging insects like rose flies and wasps etc… And about 6 miles prior I had a baby wasp get in my car and felt something like a splinter poking my back turned out to be that little guy and he stung me through my shirt but not
Near as painful as an adult wasp.
we have these every year in Hudson Valley/Catskill Mtn area in NY. usually start becoming prevalent August – Sept. nasty bites. smart too. they tend to land on top of rump where horse cant reach with mouth or tail. mine will buck & head to nearest shed. good fly spray seems to help a lot.