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horsefly
horsefly common name for the large hairy flies of the family Tabanidae. Male horseflies feed on pollen and nectar, but the females suck blood as well and are common pests of animals and sometimes of humans. The bites of many species are very painful. The larger horseflies, e.g., the mourning horsefly and the 1-in. (2.5-cm) black horsefly, belong to the genus Tabanus ; the smaller and more common banded horseflies, with black, brown, or yellow bodies and brilliantly colored eyes, are members of the genus Chrysops. The deerflies, which carry the diseases anthrax and tularemia , and in Africa, a filarial worm infestation, belong to this group. Horseflies are most abundant in hot weather. The eggs are laid on plants or stones close to water. The somewhat flattened 1/2 -in. (1.3-cm) larvae have fleshy protuberances on each body segment, aiding in locomotion; they live in water or in moist earth and feed on snails and on other insect larvae. Horseflies are classified in the phylum Arthropoda , class Insecta, order Diptera, family Tabanidae. See insect . |
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"horsefly." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "horsefly." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-horsefly.html "horsefly." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-horsefly.html |
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horsefly
horse·fly / ˈhôrsˌflī/ • n. (pl. -flies) a stoutly built fly (genus Tabanus, family Tabanidae), the female of which is a bloodsucker and inflicts painful bites on horses and other mammals. |
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"horsefly." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "horsefly." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-horsefly.html "horsefly." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-horsefly.html |
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horsefly
horsefly Any of several species of flies in the family Tabanidae, especially Tabanus lineola. The female inflicts a painful bite and sucks blood. Length: to 3cm (1.2in).
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"horsefly." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "horsefly." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-horsefly.html "horsefly." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-horsefly.html |
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horsefly
horsefly
•ally, phalli
•Adlai • gadfly • blackfly • damselfly
•sandfly • barfly • mayfly
•Eli, Ely
•greenfly • bacilli • multiply • styli
•whitefly • wall eye • horsefly
•housefly
•alveoli, E. coli, gladioli
•blowfly • lapis lazuli • reguli • stimuli
•flocculi • ranunculi • firefly
•discoboli • astragali • dragonfly
•alkali • Lorelei • Naphtali • butterfly
•hoverfly
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Cite this article
"horsefly." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "horsefly." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-horsefly.html "horsefly." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-horsefly.html |
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