Tabanus is a genus of biting horseflies of the family Tabanidae. Females have scissor-like mouthparts that aim to cut the skin. The horsefly can then lap up the blood. Horseflies of this genus are known to be potential vectors of anthrax, worms and trypanosomes. Some species, such as Tabanus bovinus, prefer bovine animals and are less harmful to humans. The genus contains hundreds of species and many species groups.[1][2][3]

Tabanus
Tabanus sudeticus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Tabanidae
Subfamily: Tabaninae
Tribe: Tabanini
Genus: Tabanus
Linnaeus, 1758

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Fairchild, G.B. (March 1980). "Tabanidae (Diptera) from the Dominican Republic". Florida Entomologist. 63 (1). The Florida Entomologist, Vol. 63, No. 1: 166–188. doi:10.2307/3494671. JSTOR 3494671.
  2. ^ Stubbs, A. & Drake, M. (2001). British Soldierflies and Their Allies: A Field Guide to the Larger British Brachycera. British Entomological & Natural History Society. p. 512 pp. ISBN 1-899935-04-5.
  3. ^ Chvála, Milan; Lyneborg, Leif; Moucha, Josef (1972). The Horse Flies of Europe (Diptera, Tabanidae). Copenhagen: Entomological Society of Copenhagen. pp. 598pp, 164figs. ISBN 978-09-00-84857-5.