March Flies, Horse Flies - Family Tabanidae

This page contains pictures and information about March Flies that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.


Body length 10mm

March Flies are from small to large in size. They have large eyes with reflective iridescent colour. Their wings always have the 'Y' shaped veins at the tip. Usually there are the dense short hairs on their body.

All male March Flies feed on nectar. Some species of female feed on blood, they target on horse, cattle and humans.

March Fly larvae of most species live in fresh water, damp soil or rotting plants. The larvae are carnivorous, preying on insects and snails.


Flower-feeding March Fly

Scaptia auriflua, subfamily Pangoniinae, body length 10mm
Most other female March Flies are blood sucker but this fly is flower feeder. Both male and female of this species feed on nectars only. The fly covered with dense hair and mimic a bee. They will buzz like a bee to try to scare you away. Picture taken in Yugarapul Park during early summer. There are many of them in the same area near the Bulimba Creek. Note the piercing mouthparts in front of the eyes. More information and pictures please visit this page.


March Fly

? sp., body length 10mm
Picture taken in Alexandra Hill during early summer. March Flies are sometimes known as Green Heads. The above pictures explained why they are called.