A most unwelcome visitor turned up on the wall of the bungalow last week, and I managed to inflict a severe headache before it did any harm:
Tabanus sp.
It's only the third I've seen here in nine years, although the horses have probably encountered more. Unfortunately there are plenty of its smaller cousin, the Cleg, around just now, and they are a real pest to man and beast - if only they would have an off-year!
I suspect the LYUs are in aestivation (summer hibernation) due to the warm weather, and will be back with a vengeance in late August and September!
ReplyDeleteThe Tabanus is a male - the eyes meet at the top of the head. As it is only the females that bite this one was not likely to harm you. Sorry!
ReplyDelete