×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Yellow-Fly (Diachlorus ferrugatus)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Yellow-Fly


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/2
Image Credit: Monica M. from FL
Full-sized image of the Yellow-Fly Thumbnail image of the Yellow-Fly
2/2
Image Credit: Judy Gallagher (Creative Commons)
Full-sized image #2 of the Yellow-Fly Thumbnail image #2 of the Yellow-Fly

The bites of the female Yellow Fly are both annoying and painful, especially since they attack at random and usually have their friends with them.



Updated: 05/20/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Sometimes mistaken for a Deer Fly, Yellow Flies are just as unwelcome by both humans and animals. The female attacks exposed flesh for a quick blood meal. Males do not bite. Heads and ears are easy targets on humans. Faces, backs, and legs are often targets on animals such as horses and livestock. These large animals use their tails to swat and kill the Yellow Fly since repeated attempts to bite are normal. The fly bite is painful, becoming red and irritated over the next day or two, often ending in an allergic reaction that can lead to painful blisters. Humans can use insect repellents with DEET to deter them. Fly traps in stables and barns are said to reduce their numbers in those areas, sparing livestock.

Both male and female Yellow Flies drink flower nectar and eat pollen, but females add to their diet by consuming blood from animals. She can lay 50 or so fertilized eggs in a muddy area, near a lake, creek, pond, or stream. Larvae (maggots) hatch and molt several times before taking on a winged adult form. They feed on decaying matter and spend some time feeding on debris in water before migrating to land.

The most active months for biting are May and June in the southern states. The fly is most active between afternoon and dusk. Large congregations of them typically live near water, which is necessary for part of the larval life stage. They are often found bothering people and animals in backyards, open fields, parks, farms, and forest edges near water.©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Insect biting icon
Flying insect icon
Striped or banded insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Diptera
        Family: Tabanidae
View More
          Genus: Diachlorus
View More
            Species: ferrugatus

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Diachlorus ferrugatus
Category: Fly or Mosquito
Size (Adult; Length): 8mm to 10mm (0.31" to 0.39")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: yellow; black; brown; green; blue; purple
Descriptors: flying; biting; eye bands; green eyes; clusters


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 8mm (0.3in) and 10mm (0.4in)
Lo: 8mm
Md: 9mm
Hi: 10mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Yellow-Fly may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Yellow-Fly. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)