Chrysops

Deer flies (also known in some parts of

the mid-Atlantic United States as sheep
flies) are bloodsucking insects considered
pests to humans and cattle.[1] They are
large flies with large brightly coloured
compound eyes, and large clear wings with
dark bands.[2] They are larger than the
common housefly and smaller than the
horse-fly. There are 250 species of deer fly
in the genus Chrysops. Their distribution is
worldwide, though they have not been
reported in Iceland, Greenland, or Hawaii.[3]

Deer flies lay between 100 and 800 eggs in

batches on vegetation near water or
dampness. During the larval stage, which
lasts one to three years,[4] they feed on
small creatures or rotting organic matter
near or in the water.[1] After a pupal stage,
they emerge as adults in late spring and
summer. While male deer flies collect
pollen, female deer flies feed on blood,
which they require to produce eggs.[5]
Females feed primarily on mammals. They
are attracted to prey by sight, smell, or the
detection of carbon dioxide. Other
attractants are body
Chrysops
heat, movement,
dark colours, and
lights in the night.
They are active
Chrysops callidus
under direct
sunshine and hours Scientific clas
when the Domain: Eukaryota
temperature is
Kingdom: Animalia
above 22 °C
Phylum: Arthropod
(71.6°).[5] When
feeding, the females Class: Insecta
use scissor-like Order: Diptera
mandibles and
Family: Tabanidae
maxillae to make a
Subfamily: Chrysop
cross-shaped
incision and then lap Tribe: Chrysopsini
up the blood. Their
Genus: Chrysops
bite can be painful.
Meigen,
Anti-coagulants in
1803
the saliva of the fly
Species
prevents blood from
clotting and may C. altivagus
cause severe Osten Sacken,
allergic reactions. 1886
Parasites and C. caecutiens
diseases (Linnaeus,
transmitted by the 1758)
deer fly include C. carbonarius
tularemia, anthrax, Walker, 1848
anaplasmosis,
equine infectious
anemia, hog cholera, C. coloradensis
and filiariasis. DEET Bigot, 1892
is not an effective C. excitans
repellent.[2] Walker, 1850

Predators of the C. facialis

deer fly (and other Townsend, 1897

Tabanidae) include C. lateralis

nest-building wasps Wiedemann,
and hornets, 1828
dragonflies, and C. niger
some birds, Macquart, 1838
including the C. relictus
killdeer. They are Meigen, 1820
difficult to control
C. sepulcralis
because
(Fabricius,
insecticides cannot 1794)
be applied in the C.
sensitive wetlands subcaecutiens
where their larvae Bellardi, 1859
typically develop.
C. surdus Osten
Additionally, adults
Sacken, 1877
may have developed
C. tidwelli Philip
a significant
and Jones,
distance from where
1962
the eggs were
C. univittatus
laid.[2] Trapping
Macquart, 1855
devices and
protective clothing, C. viduatus
such as long- (Fabricius,
sleeved shirts and 1794)
hats, can help avoid
the annoyance and C. vittatus
bites of aggressive Wiedemann,
deer flies. 1821
...many others
Photos

Chrysops Deerfly
caecutien from
s coastal
Georgia,
US