March Flies.. tabanidae ..........OUCH! - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**Anaedilla** · 03-28-2012, 11:29 PM

This year they are out in force

last year there were not many , but in the past few` days bites have been sadly frequent. Are they a good food source for birds, etc ? or what purpose do they have ?

**LINETFAD** · 03-28-2012, 11:48 PM

Like a lot of flies, they are pollinators. Only the females feed on blood; the males are exclusively nectar- and pollen-feeders. Larvae are predatory, IIRC.

**Anaedilla** · 03-29-2012, 12:05 AM

Like a lot of flies, they are pollinators. Only the females feed on blood; the males are exclusively nectar- and pollen-feeders. Larvae are predatory, IIRC.

Thankyou - hadn't thought of that !

**pipojambo** · 03-29-2012, 12:06 AM

Where do they breed, what do the maggots feed on I suppose is the question I am asking.
We don't get too many here, but out the bush a bit further and be prepared to be carried away. At the beach and out in the bush always seem to be the worst.

Scratch that. Not a lot of info about but found they breed in muddy areas and the larvae feed on other critters in the mud.

This is the link
http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+ab...es/Horse+flies

**Anaedilla** · 03-29-2012, 12:19 AM

Scratch that. Not a lot of info about but found they breed in muddy areas and the larvae feed on other critters in the mud.

well, they cover all bases, don't they ? active predation in mud, pollinating /nectar feeding, and blood sucking. No wonder they're big & strong

**pipojambo** · 03-29-2012, 12:43 AM

Active predation in mud, well now you know why you have plenty of them, plenty of mud.

**Peertantyb** · 03-29-2012, 05:12 AM

>>This year they are out in force last year there were not many , but in the past few` days bites have been sadly frequent. Are they a good food source for birds, etc ? or what purpose do they have ?

**awagsFare** · 03-29-2012, 08:38 PM

Some of the March flies here feed on Marri blossom and their numbers are in proportion to the amount of blossom around. I suspect that they are a significant pollinator of the Marri which in turn ensures 'honky nuts' which in turn feeds the black cockatoos.

Others seem exlusive to the beach and I often wonder what blossom they feed on. The little darlings will come right down to the waters edge to get some blood from you.

**Cerilopasei** · 03-30-2012, 03:35 AM

I thought March Fly, was a misnomer. I read it somewhere that it was Marsh fly.

Anyway they are the toughest thing ever, give them a whack and watch them get back up after a few minutes.

I was eaten in Esperance in another life

**Peertantyb** · 03-30-2012, 05:27 AM

>>I was eaten in Esperance in another life

**Anaedilla** · 03-30-2012, 05:40 AM

here's one I prepared earlier ...

DSCF2998.JPG

03-28-2012, 11:29 PM	#1
Anaedilla Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 735 Senior Member	March Flies.. tabanidae ..........OUCH! This year they are out in force last year there were not many , but in the past few` days bites have been sadly frequent. Are they a good food source for birds, etc ? or what purpose do they have ? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-28-2012, 11:48 PM	#2
LINETFAD Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 426 Senior Member	Like a lot of flies, they are pollinators. Only the females feed on blood; the males are exclusively nectar- and pollen-feeders. Larvae are predatory, IIRC. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-29-2012, 12:05 AM	#3
Anaedilla Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 735 Senior Member	Like a lot of flies, they are pollinators. Only the females feed on blood; the males are exclusively nectar- and pollen-feeders. Larvae are predatory, IIRC. Thankyou - hadn't thought of that ! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-29-2012, 12:06 AM	#4
pipojambo Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 502 Senior Member	Where do they breed, what do the maggots feed on I suppose is the question I am asking. We don't get too many here, but out the bush a bit further and be prepared to be carried away. At the beach and out in the bush always seem to be the worst. Scratch that. Not a lot of info about but found they breed in muddy areas and the larvae feed on other critters in the mud. This is the link http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/Find+out+ab...es/Horse+flies Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-29-2012, 12:19 AM	#5
Anaedilla Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 735 Senior Member	Scratch that. Not a lot of info about but found they breed in muddy areas and the larvae feed on other critters in the mud. well, they cover all bases, don't they ? active predation in mud, pollinating /nectar feeding, and blood sucking. No wonder they're big & strong Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-29-2012, 12:43 AM	#6
pipojambo Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 502 Senior Member	Active predation in mud, well now you know why you have plenty of them, plenty of mud. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-29-2012, 05:12 AM	#7
Peertantyb Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 497 Senior Member	>>This year they are out in force last year there were not many , but in the past few` days bites have been sadly frequent. Are they a good food source for birds, etc ? or what purpose do they have ? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-29-2012, 08:38 PM	#8
awagsFare Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 567 Senior Member	Some of the March flies here feed on Marri blossom and their numbers are in proportion to the amount of blossom around. I suspect that they are a significant pollinator of the Marri which in turn ensures 'honky nuts' which in turn feeds the black cockatoos. Others seem exlusive to the beach and I often wonder what blossom they feed on. The little darlings will come right down to the waters edge to get some blood from you. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-30-2012, 03:35 AM	#9
Cerilopasei Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 463 Senior Member	I thought March Fly, was a misnomer. I read it somewhere that it was Marsh fly. Anyway they are the toughest thing ever, give them a whack and watch them get back up after a few minutes. I was eaten in Esperance in another life Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-30-2012, 05:27 AM	#10
Peertantyb Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 497 Senior Member	>>I was eaten in Esperance in another life Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-30-2012, 05:40 AM	#11
Anaedilla Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 735 Senior Member	here's one I prepared earlier ... DSCF2998.JPG Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

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