common name: yellow fly
scientific name: Diachlorus ferrugatus (Fabricius) (Insecta: Diptera: Tabanidae)

Introduction - Synonomy - Distribution - Description - Life History - Biting Habits - Management - Selected References

Introduction

In Florida, the name "yellow fly" is commonly used to describe a group of about a dozen different yellow-bodied biting flies in the Tabanidae family. However, Florida tabanid experts recognize only one species, Diachlorus ferrugatus (Fabricius), as the "true" yellow fly. (Cilek 2000a). In Belize this species is known as the "doctor fly."

yellow fly

The yellow fly is a fierce biter. Like mosquitoes, it is the female fly that is responsible for inflicting a bite. The males are mainly pollen and nectar feeders. Tabanids are most likely encountered in hot summer and early fall weather. They are active during daylight hours.

Synonymy

Chrysops ferrugatus Fabricius, 1805: 111. Type locality: Carolina, U.S.A. Type female: lost.
Tabanus americanus Palisot de Beauvois, 1819: 222 (preocc. Forster, 1771).
Diabasis ataenia Macquart, 1838: 156. Type locality: Carolina, U.S.A.
Chrysops convergens Walker, 1848: 198. Type locality: Honduras.
Chrysops approximans Walker, 1848: 198. Type locality: Florida.
Tabanus rondanii Bellardi, 1859: 68. Type locality: Mexico.

Distribution

Southeastern U.S. from New Jersey to Texas; Bahamas; Mexico to Costa Rica. The genus Diachlorus contains 23 neotropical species, as keyed by Fairchild (1972). But Diachlorus ferrugatus (Fabricius) is the only species that has reached the U.S., probably coming by way of Mexico. Its occurrence in the Bahamas seems to be a recent extension from Florida, as it has not been found elsewhere in the West Indies.

Description

Adults: The adult is a predominantly yellow fly about 1 cm (3/8 inch) long, similar in appearance to a deer fly (Chrysops). The fore legs are predominantly black, the other pairs yellow. The wings are clear, with black stigma, yellow costal cell, and a prominent brown patch at the apex. The eyes of the live fly are brilliant blue- green, with two semicircular purple bands. The female can be distinguished from deer flies by the very narrow frons (space between the eyes in front), and (in both sexes) the brown wing patch at the apex, rather than across the middle of the wing. The abdomen is yellow, black- haired on the sides, but with a broad yellow-haired stripe down the middle.

yellow fly

Eggs: The eggs are very small (about 1/16" long) and creamy white when first deposited, but turn dark after several hours. These egg masses sometimes resemble tar specks (Cilek 2000a).

Larvae: The larvae are aquatic or semiaquatic (Dame and Fasulo 2003). Larvae are slender, whitish grubs nearly covered by very fine, yellowish pubescence and bearing only three pairs of pseudopodia on each segment.

larva

Life History

Larvae feed primarily on decaying organic matter. The larvae may molt more than 10 times before pupating and emerging as adults (Dame and Fasulo 2003). Mature larvae have been collected and reared to the adult stage on a few occasions. They have been found only in deeply shaded areas in root mats of cypress, shingle oak, and other woody plants, always beneath the water surface (Jones and Anthony 1964).

Although strong fliers, adults are often found around the larval habitat, but they may move considerable distances to find a blood meal. Both sexes feed on plant nectar and pollen to obtain energy. Males rarely have been collected; most of those known were taken in light traps. The female feeds on blood to develop eggs. Mating takes place soon after emergence. Once mated, the female deposits an egg mass on plants, rocks, sticks or other similar objects usually over water or other favorable larval habitat.

Egg masses are deposited throughout the life cycle of the female. After five to 12 days, the eggs hatch and the young larvae drop into the water or mud where they feed on organic debris or prey on other small aquatic organisms (Cilek 2000a). Upon hatching, the larvae burrow into mud or moist earth and begin feeding. Depending upon the species and climatic region, there are usually one or two generations per year (Dame and Fasulo 2003). The winter is generally passed in the larval stage. The mature larva will grow to a size of about 1/2 inch, after which it will migrate to drier soil and develop into a pupa. The pupa is a nonfeeding, resting stage that develops into the adult fly. Generally, the life cycle from egg to adult is about one year (Cilek 2000a).

pupa

Biting Habits

The female is one of the most serious biting fly pests wherever it occurs (males do not bite). It attacks man vigorously, and the bites usually are painful, causing large and persistently itching swellings in many persons. Although it attacks throughout the day, it is most active during the late afternoon and on cloudy days. It is especially common near large bodies of water, but tends to remain in or near forests, seldom attacking in numbers far from the shelter of trees. It is one of the few tabanids which attacks indoors. All exposed parts of the victim's body may be attacked, and since the flight is rather quiet, a person is not aware of the flies until the sharp pain of the bite is felt. Domestic animals, including dogs, are attacked readily, although the fly's preference for shade makes it less of a pest to cattle and horses in open pastures. Flies are on the wing in Florida from March to November, although the peak season is April through June. Williams (1971) studied biting habits of D. ferrugatus in British Honduras, but nothing comparable has been done in Florida.

Management

No effective methods for larval control are known. Mosquito repellents are moderately effective against the adults except when the flies are very abundant or very hungry. Gloves and headnets offer the only sure means of protection. We have found deet (diethyl toluamide) to be the most effective repellent. To prevent possible development of dangerous hypersensitivity and systemic reactions, persons sensitive to the bites should avoid exposure to the flies.

Currently there are no adequate means for managing populations. Traps are sometimes effective in control of small areas such as yards, camping sights, and swimming pools. Trapping of nuisance flies has reduced their numbers on the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Traps have been effective when used around cattle that are confined to manageable areas (Squitier 2003).

Insect Management Guide for biting flies

Selected References

Authors: G.B. Fairchild and H.V. Weems, Jr. (retired), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry; and T.R. Fasulo, University of Florida
Originally published as DPI Entomology Circular 139. Updated for this publication.
Photographs: J.M. Squitier, J.F. Butler and J.L. Castner, University of Florida
Project Coordinator: Thomas R. Fasulo, University of Florida
Publication Number: EENY-320
Publication Date: April 2004
Copyright 2004 University of Florida

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