Hybomitra aterrima is a species of horse flies in the family Tabanidae.[1] [2]
This species can be found in most of Europe (Austria, Bosnia, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Spain and Switzerland).[3]
Hybomitra aterrima can reach a length of 13-.[4]
The body is black and the wings are transparent, with a small dark patch at the base of the vein R4.[4] [5]
Face is black haired, with high antennal bows. Palpi are blackish with black hairs. The compound eyes are well-developed in both sexes. They have an iridescent light green pigmentation, with three blue-reddish transversal bands.[4] [5]
The Hybomitra aterrima var. auripila (Meigen) has the abdominal tergites more or less distinctly golden-yellow pubescent on posterior margins.[5]
Males of these horse flies feed on plant juices, while female are bloodsuckers,[4] feeding mainly on mammalian blood, as they require a blood meal before they are able to reproduce. They may be very annoying for cattle, but usually they do not bite people.[4]