Meet Chrysops pikei
– the adult female deer fly.
click on the image to enlarge and see the bloodsucking flies
Deer flies are bloodsucking insects that can be serious
pests of cattle, horses, wildlife and humans. Not only are they annoying but they can also spread disease.
Female deer flies are active during the day – attracted by
movement, carbon dioxide, and warmth. They use their dagger-like mouthparts to slice
the skin and feed on the blood pool that is created.
Deer flies prefer to bite a host high on the body, head
or shoulders while horse flies will feed in various regions but the legs are
the favored sites for many attacking livestock.
This photo gives me the creeps because the animal has no
way to swat at these pests. It is absolutely gross.
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