THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands
An Identification Guide and Educational Resource

Most tabanid larvae live in wet soils, like those in wetlands and on the edges of streams and ponds. Nearly all the larvae are predatory and pierce their prey with hook-like mandibles.

The larvae are generally cylindrical, with a small pointed respiratory siphon at the end of the abdomen and a rounded front. Each abdominal segment is encircled by a ring of bumps. Their head parts are reduced to slender rods. Tabanid larvae live almost exclusively in wetland habitats, but can be rare in samples.

Most female Tabanidae need a blood meal before they can reproduce. In acquiring that meal, they inflict one of the most painful bites of any of the flies.