Hybomitra montana explained

Hybomitra montana, the slender-horned horsefly, is a species of horse flies in the family Tabanidae.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Description

Hybomitra montana can reach a length of 12.5-. The body is black, the hairy abdomen is yellow with black stripes and the wings are brownish but transparent. The compound eyes are well developed in both sexes. They have bright blue-green eyes, with transversal red bands.

Adult horse flies can be found in July and August. Males of this species feed on plant juices, while female are bloodsuckers. The females have a high fecundity. They can lay about 500 eggs at an oviposition. The larvae pass through 10–13 instars and the full life-cycle lasts 3–5 years. This horsefly may cause appreciable damages on stock farms.

Distribution

This species can be found in most of Europe and in the eastern Palearctic realm.

Habitat

These horseflies live in various open landscapes, from mountains to peatlands and salt marshes.

References

• R G Soboleva - Biology of the gadfly Hybomitra montana montana Mg. (Diptera, Tabanidae) in the southern Far East

External links

• Funet
• Martin C. Harvey, 2018 Key to genus Hybomitra

Notes and References

1. Book: Verrall . G. H. . Stratiomyidae and succeeding families of the Diptera Brachycera of Great Britain British flies. 5 . 1909 . Gurney and Jackson . London . 780, 34 p., 407 fig . 19 October 2022.
2. Book: Stubbs, Alan E. . Drake, Martin . British Soldierflies and their allies

   A Field Guide to the Larger British Brachycera

   . Print . 2001 . . London . 1-899935-04-5 . 528 pages .
3. Moucha . J. . Horse-flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) of the World. Synoptic Catalogue. . Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae Supplements . 1976 . 7 . 1–320 . 11 September 2022.
4. Book: Chvála . Milan . Lyneborg . Leif . Moucha . Josef . The Horse Flies of Europe (Diptera, Tabanidae) . 1972 . Entomological Society of Copenhagen . Copenhagen . 978-09-00-84857-5 . 598pp, 164figs.