Fly

This is “National Pollinator Week” (June 17 – 24). The non-profit “Pollinator Partnership” conceived the idea in 2007 to encourage groups and communities to hold celebrations and awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of pollinators. That same year, the U.S. Senate designated the third week of June to be the official celebratory week for the recognition of pollinators.

While taking photos today of willow pinecone galls for a BYGL Alert, I was constantly strafed by a maniacal horse fly (Tananus spp.).  These hefty flies belong to the family Tabanidae which is the largest family of bloodsucking insects with over 4,500 horsefly species known worldwide.  There are several species in Ohio ranging in size from 3/8 - 1 1/8" in length.  The crazed fly buzzing me was T. abdominalis.  It doesn't have a common name other than #@%%# fly!  At least, that's what I called it.

 

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