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Flies are uncomfortable. They disturb the peace with their whirring, crawl over the skin and help themselves to food. Are they really safe? Are there flies that sting or bite?

In a nutshell

  • Stable flies, horse flies and louse flies common in Germany can sting or bite
  • Transmission of diseases possible
  • Cool puncture sites
  • consult a doctor in case of redness and inflammation

brakes

Horseflies are the best-known stinging insects in the fly genus. They look inconspicuous, but their sting is painful and dangerous. Male horseflies do not bite humans, preferring plant food.

Mountain brake (Hybomitra auripila)

  • lives in the mountain regions
  • Stings of the blood-sucking females very painful
  • black body with yellow hair fringes on abdomen
  • transparent wings
  • 13 to 16 millimeters long
  • Flight time from June to August

Common horsefly (Chrysops caecutiens)

Source: Hectonichus, Tabanidae - Chrysops caecutiens, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • frequent occurrence especially near water
  • female dummy flies suck the blood of humans and animals
  • striking wing markings
  • yellow-black colored abdomen
  • 10 to 14 millimeters long
  • Flight time from May to September

Gold-Eyed Flywheel (Chrysops relictus)

Source: Quartl, Chrysops relictus qtl1, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • widespread throughout Europe
  • Females of the flyfly linger on the human skin for a long time before stinging
  • conspicuous black angle on the abdomen
  • bright green eyes
  • 9 to 13 millimeters long
  • Flight time from May to September

Great mudfly (Tabanus autumnalis)

  • lives on cattle pastures and in the area of swamps, moors, wet meadows
  • Females suck the blood of grazing animals or humans
  • dark body with light hair
  • 16 to 22 millimeters long
  • Flight time from May to August

Greater horsefly (Tabanus bromius)

Source: By ©entomartIn case of publication or commercial use, Entomart wishes then to be warned (http://www.entomart.be/contact.html), but this without obligation. Thank you., Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1266095
  • lives near cattle pastures
  • prefers cattle, horses or deer
  • doesn't spare people either
  • Horseflies often enter buildings.
  • Eyes green or brown depending on the light
  • 12 to 20 millimeters long
  • Flight time from May to September

Rainfly (Haematopota pluvialis)

Source: AfroBrazilian, Haematopota pluvialis 04, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • lives in humid forest areas
  • Females prefer to stab humans in the arms
  • gray marbled body
  • 8 to 11 millimeters long
  • Flight time June to August

Louse flies (Hippoboscidae)

About 25 different louse fly species occur in Central Europe. The best-known species that also attack humans in search of food are the deer louse, horse louse and swift louse. Both males and females bite louse flies.

Stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans)

Source: SLRTDM, Mosca estabulo, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • resembles a normal housefly
  • longer proboscis and strongly spread wings
  • lives near stables
  • known as calf biter or burning fly
  • mainly stabs people in the uncovered calves and drinks its blood
  • Stitches are very painful
  • risk of disease transmission
  • Harmful to health, transmission of dangerous germs possible
  • light gray stripes on the back
  • 5 to 7 millimeters long
  • Flight time from June to October

Deer louse fly (Lipoptena cervi)

Source: gbohne from Berlin, Germany, Lipoptena cervi - Deer Louse Fly (14947158935), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
  • lives in humid forest areas
  • sucks the blood of grazing and wild animals as well as humans
  • Fly latches onto host and breaks off wings
  • Fly species increased enormously in recent years
  • usually bites the neck
  • Bite of deer louse fly is painful
  • causes severe itching
  • serious inflammation possible
  • body dark
  • resembles a tick with wings
  • 5 to 6 millimeters long
  • Flight time from May to November

Swift louse fly (Crataerina pallida)

Source: Klaus Roggel, Berlin, CrataerinaPallidaKlausRoggel01, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • blood sucking parasite
  • lives near swift nests
  • mainly affects swifts
  • occasionally invades homes
  • also stings humans in search of food
  • Sting is very painful
  • Wheals form, which only disappear after a week.
  • body grey-brown
  • 7.4 to 10 millimeters long
  • Flight time from June to September

Horse louse fly (Hippobosca equina)

Source: Janswart, Hippobosca equina, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • lives near horses
  • People are rarely stung by her
  • does not lose its wings when clinging to its host
  • can approach another horse or a human at any time
  • Light brown body, strong claws, flat wings
  • 4.5 to 6 millimeters long
  • Flight time from August to October
    Caution: Try to remove a louse fly from the skin immediately!

frequently asked Questions

How harmful is a fly bite?

Stings from horse flies, horse flies or louse flies are often very painful. Since the insects also live on grazing animals, animal excrement and carrion, a sting can lead to infection. A deer fly bite can cause heart disease in humans. Remove and destroy the insect. Cool the puncture site. If you experience severe pain, redness, and swelling, see a doctor.

Are there people who are allergic to fly bites?

Some people with an allergy to bee or wasp venom also have an allergic reaction to the bites of horse flies, horse flies or louse flies. If you have severe swelling, a rash, chills, fever, shortness of breath, or flu-like symptoms, call a doctor.

How to protect yourself from stinging flies?

Horseflies, louse flies and calf chewers are attracted to human sweat. Take a shower before the forest walk. In areas where there are many insects, prefer long clothing. Protect toddlers in strollers with bug nets. Close the windows with fly screens.

Can stinging flies transmit Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is transmitted by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It usually gets into the human body through a tick bite. Transmission of the bacterium by biting flies cannot be ruled out. Horse louse flies in particular are suspected of transmitting Lyme disease. If reddening occurs after a sting, see a doctor immediately.

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Animals in the garden