Horsefly: meaning, definitions and examples
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horsefly
[ ˈhɔːrsflaɪ ]
insect type
A horsefly is a large species of fly belonging to the family Tabanidae. These insects are often black or brown and are known for their painful bites, which they use to draw blood from animals and humans. Horseflies are generally found in rural areas where livestock is present, as they are particularly attracted to the scents produced by these animals. While they are primarily active during warm days, their presence can be quite bothersome, especially for those working outdoors.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The horsefly buzzed annoyingly around the cow.
- She swatted a horsefly that landed on her arm.
- Horseflies can be especially troublesome during summer picnics.
- He noticed a horsefly land on his horse's back.
Translations
Translations of the word "horsefly" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mosca dos estábulos
🇮🇳 घोड़ा मक्खी
🇩🇪 Pferdefliege
🇮🇩 lalat kuda
🇺🇦 коняча муха
🇵🇱 bąk koński
🇯🇵 ウマバエ
🇫🇷 mouche à cheval
🇪🇸 mosca de los caballos
🇹🇷 at sineği
🇰🇷 말파리
🇸🇦 ذبابة الحصان
🇨🇿 koňská moucha
🇸🇰 koňská muška
🇨🇳 马蝇
🇸🇮 konjska muha
🇮🇸 hestsfluga
🇰🇿 ат мунасы
🇬🇪 ცხვრის ფუტკარი
🇦🇿 at milçəyi
🇲🇽 mosca de caballo
Etymology
The term 'horsefly' has its origins in Old English, where 'hors' meant horse and 'flea' denoted a fly or biting insect. The name likely arose due to the fly's association with horses and other large animals, as they are often seen feeding on their blood. The family Tabanidae, to which horseflies belong, includes various species that exhibit diverse behaviors but share the characteristic of being primarily blood-feeding insects. The word has evolved over centuries, reflecting the significant impact these insects have had on agriculture and animal husbandry. Horseflies are notorious for transmitting diseases to livestock, leading to further scrutiny and research on their ecological role.