Chained horse fly

Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Freshwater Habitats

Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Freshwater Habitats, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas

Since adult chained horse fly feed on nectar and sometimes blood, attractants such as carbon dioxide or octenol can be effective, alongside visual lures that mimic the appearance of large mammals.

The eggs of chained horse fly are laid on vegetation near water sources such as marshes, where the larvae drop to moist soil or mud upon hatching. For the larval stage, one might search within wet soil or marshy areas rich in organic material, which are ideal for their development. The larvae burrow and feed there, undergoing several instars before pupation. To find the pupae of chained horse fly, searching in drier adjacent soils where the larvae migrate for pupation would be fruitful. Adult chained horse fly are typically found flying in sunny areas with abundant nectar sources such as flowering meadows or near water bodies, where they also seek mates and lay eggs, completing their life cycle.

The best time to find adult chained horse fly is typically during the day, especially on warm, sunny days with little wind, when they are most active. The larvae, however, might be found throughout the day in their respective habitats.

Warm and sunny weather with high humidity is ideal when searching for adult chained horse fly, as these conditions are conducive to their activity. Conversely, cooler and wetter conditions may be suitable for finding larvae in muddy or aquatic environments.