horsefly

Thân thiện

A horsefly lands on a horse's flank in a sunny pasture.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large, swift fly: A type of large and fast-flying insect belonging to the family Tabanidae.
   • A bloodsucking insect: Specifically, the female horsefly sucks the blood of various animals, including livestock and sometimes humans.
   • A parasite of horses: This fly is commonly known as a winged parasite that targets horses.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • I was bitten by a horsefly while hiking near the pasture.
  • The horse was agitated by the persistent horsefly.
  • Horseflies are most active during the hot summer months.

Advanced Usage

• "Horsefly bite": Refers specifically to the wound or reaction caused by this insect's bite.
  • The horsefly bite on my arm became swollen and itchy.
• Used in biological or entomological contexts to discuss species, behavior, or control methods.
  • The study focused on the olfactory cues that attract horseflies to their hosts.

Variants and Related Words

• Cleg (n): A regional British term for a horsefly.
• Gadfly (n): A general term sometimes used interchangeably for large, biting flies, including horseflies.
• Tabanid (n): The formal scientific family name for horseflies.

Synonyms

• Breeze fly: A less common synonym.
• March fly: A name used in some regions, though this can refer to other insects.

Related Phrases

• Horsefly season: The time of year when these insects are most prevalent.
  • We avoid riding in the woods during horsefly season.

Học thuật

Noun

1. large swift fly the female of which sucks blood of various animals
2. winged fly parasitic on horses

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cleg
• clegg
• horse fly
• horse tick
• Hippobosca equina