Chrysopsinae is an insect subfamily in the family Tabanidae commonly known as deer flies or sheep flies and are bloodsucking insects considered pests to humans and cattle. They are large flies with large brightly-coloured compound eyes, and large clear wings with dark bands. They are larger than the common housefly and smaller than the horse-fly.
Deer flies lay between 100 and 800 eggs on vegetation near water or dampness in batches. During the larval stage, which lasts one to three weeks, they feed on small creatures or rotting organic matter near or in the water. After a pupal stage, they emerge as adults in late spring and summer. While male deer flies collect pollen, female deer flies feed on blood, which they require to produce eggs. Females feed primarily on mammals. They are attracted to prey by sight, smell, or the carbon dioxide detection. Other attractants are body heat, movement, dark colours, and lights in the night. They are active under direct sunshine and hours when the temperature is above 22 °C (71.6°). When feeding, the females use scissor-like mandibles and maxillae to make a cross-shaped incision and then lap up the blood. Their bite can be painful. Anti-coagulants in the fly's saliva prevent blood from clotting and may cause severe allergic reactions. Parasites and diseases transmitted by the deer fly include tularemia, anthrax, anaplasmosis, equine infectious anemia, hog cholera, and filiariasis. DEET is not an effective repellent.
Predators of the deer fly (and other Tabanidae) include nest-building wasps and hornets, dragonflies, and some birds, including the killdeer. Deer flies are difficult to control because insecticides cannot be applied in the sensitive wetlands where their larvae typically develop. Additionally, adults may have developed a significant distance from where the eggs were laid. Trapping devices and protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and hats, can help avoid the annoyance and bites of aggressive deer flies.
Genera These 33 genera belong to the subfamily Chrysopsinae:
Aegophagamyia Austen, 1912 Alocella Quentin, 1990 Betrequia Oldroyd, 1970 Chrysops Meigen, 1803 Eucompsa Enderlein, 1922 Gastroxides Saunders, 1842 Gressittia Philip & Mackerras, 1960 Jashinea Oldroyd, 1970 Mackerrasia Travassos Dias, 1956 Melissomorpha Ricardo, 1906 Merycomyia Hine, 1912 Nemorius Rondani, 1856 Neochrysops Walton, 1918 Oldroydiella Travassos Dias, 1955 Orgizocella Quentin, 1990 Orgizomyia Grünberg, 1906 Paulianomyia Oldroyd, 1957 Phibalomyia Taylor, 1920 Pseudopangonia Ricardo, 1915 Pseudotabanus Ricardo, 1915 Rhigioglossa Wiedemann, 1828 Rhinomyza Wiedemann, 1820 Seguytabanus Paulian, 1962 Silviomyza Philip & Mackerras, 1960 Silvius Meigen, 1820 Sphecodemyia Austen, 1937 Surcoufia Kröber, 1922 Tabanocella Bigot, 1856 Thaumastocera Grünberg, 1906 Thaumastomyia Philip & Mackerras, 1960 Thriambeutes Grünberg, 1906
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