Horsefly VS Housefly: How To Tell The Difference

The common housefly is an annoyance to many people and can be found all over the world. But horseflies aren’t just another buzz to get rid of. The biggest difference between horseflies and common houseflies is that their bites are painful. That bite is why knowing the difference between horseflies and houseflies is crucial!

Are horseflies and houseflies in the same family?

Horse flies belong to the family Muscidae, while houseflies belong to the family Muscidae, both belonging to the order Diptera. They are named for their high adaptability to sharing the environment with humans. However, flies are divided into different subcategories based on size, physical characteristics, and behavior.

The group of species we know as the common housefly is a common annoyance in most homes around the world. Although these types of flies are known for their dangerous ability to spread harmful diseases like E. coli. coli, they’re usually a mild annoyance.

In contrast, horseflies belong to the category of horse flies, which are well known blood-suckers. These fly species are more dangerous. This is due to the initial bite and the higher risk of infectious disease that may result from the bite. Knowing if you are dealing with horseflies is crucial to protecting yourself from potentially infectious bites.

Can horseflies and houseflies be found in the same habitat?

Another factor that can muddle the waters when trying to identify houseflies and horseflies is their shared habitat. Both horseflies and houseflies can live anywhere humans live, and are often found in the same area. So people will find them everywhere, just like wherever we go!

Unfortunately, horseflies can enter your home as easily as any other type of fly. Keeping any of these out depends on using shielding. You can also use fly traps such as sticky paper and bottle traps for any type of flying insect. Also, one cannot overlook the surefire way of grabbing a rolled up newspaper or fly swatter and chasing after them!

Of course, hunting down what we think of as the common housefly comes with the dreaded threat of a bite. Best to proceed with caution. You might start chasing a horsefly thinking it’s a housefly, only to find out it’s chasing you!

Key Differences Between Horsefly and Housefly

There are several key differences between horseflies and houseflies. The female horsefly needs blood for the proteins she needs to reproduce, and her quest is relentless. One way to tell the difference between a horsefly and a housefly is that the female will actively chase you! However, there are more differences between these two types of flies – now let’s take a deeper look at these two types of fruit flies.

Horse Flies vs House Flies: Speed

One of the main differences between horseflies and houseflies is their speed. The horsefly is the fastest flying insect in the world, flying at speeds of up to ninety miles per hour. This is an important identifier when horseflies and houseflies are prevalent. Horseflies are significantly faster than their kin.

Horse Fly vs. Housefly: Size

The best way to tell the difference between houseflies and horseflies is by the size of the insects. The housefly is much smaller than the horsefly, about a quarter of an inch long. Horseflies are twice the size of the common housefly and are nearly an inch long.

Horsefly vs Housefly: Colors

The common housefly has a shiny black or brown body and an oval body covered with fine hairs. They also have four distinct longitudinal lines on the chest that are much lighter in color than the entire body. The lines can be brown, white or gray, depending on the individual species. Their compound eyes are red and prominent.

Depending on the species, horse flies may have dull yellow or black bodies. The black horsefly will have a distinct green sheen that the common housefly does not have. Their compound eyes are dark gray, or possibly very close to the color of the body. They also have loose hairs on their heads, but not on their bodies.

Horse Flies vs. Houseflies: Eye Positions

The mandible and maxilla of a female horsefly are visible with jagged edges. Females can also be identified by the position of their compound eyes. The eyes of male horseflies are nearly touching, while the eyes of female horseflies are farther apart. Horseflies also have barbs, or claws, on their front legs, which they use to grab prey.

Horse flies and house flies: larvae

Another key difference between horseflies and the common housefly is the larvae. Both the common housefly and the horsefly lay eggs that go through a larval cycle.

Horsefly larvae can be just as dangerous as adult females. Horsefly larvae need a lot of protein, and like their predatory mothers, they feed on blood for protein. Horse flies lay their eggs on leaves that hang over small bodies of water. When they hatch, the larvae drop into the water. There, they prey on small aquatic animals and go through 13 larval stages before the pupal stage.

Like their mother, horsefly larvae have a ferocious bite and can spread disease. The maggots left by the common housefly in the trash are disgusting. But horsefly maggots are potentially dangerous to pets or humans who have the misfortune to stumble into wet conditions. If an area is infested with horsefly larvae, it is recommended that you have the problem dealt with by an exterminator.

Horse Flies vs. House Flies: Bite

When comparing the differences between the common housefly and the horsefly, the key takeaway is the horsefly’s unique way of biting. While both species of housefly are known to spread disease, the common housefly is smaller and less dangerous. When it comes to dealing with an infestation, the common housefly is easier to get rid of than its vicious cousin.

When considering houseflies and horseflies, size, speed, and color are the easiest ways to tell them apart!