Nature on our doorsteps: Flies that bite . . .
SHINY: Deer Flies have bright green shiny eyes and brown-banded wings

Nature on our doorsteps: Flies that bite . . .

From early summer to mid-September, a walk along the edge of a woodland or river can be made uncomfortable by swarms of tiny flies called midges.

Because they are not strong fliers, midge swarms are particularly bothersome in still, dry, warm weather. Only some species of midge flies will bite, however.

Larger flies like Horseflies and Deer Flies also bite.

While these larger flies occur singly, they can be plentiful around grazing animals like cattle and horses.

Only the females of these species bite.

The males mostly feed on nectar. Once the females have mated they need to feed on mammal blood, as this contains a particular protein which is essential for the development of the fly’s eggs.

These eggs are laid in damp mud or plants close to water where the hatched larvae feed on other insects.

The stealthy Clegg horsefly relies on a silent approach

As most Horseflies and Deer Flies make a buzzing sound, we can hear them approach and hopefully we can avoid being bitten. The Clegg horsefly, however, flies very silently and can land and bite before we feel the stinging pain.

Despite their annoying and sometimes painful bite, Deer Flies are interesting-looking insects with bright green shiny eyes and banded wings.

The stealthy Cleg is mottled brown, with lovely, patterned eyes.

While they are considered pests by us, biting flies are a very important food source for other more appreciated creatures higher up on the food chain, such as bats and birds.

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