Big-spotted Cleg
Haematopota bigoti
The Big-spotted Cleg (Haematopota bigoti) is a large horse fly species distinguished by its prominent dark spots across pale wings and robust build. As a blood-feeding insect, females play important ecological roles as both disease vectors and prey for various bird and spider species, while also serving as pollinators when feeding on nectar.
10
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Rui Andrade, all rights reserved
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
Family
Tabanidae
Genus
Haematopota
Big-spotted Cleg belongs to the family Tabanidae, order Diptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Big-spotted Cleg (Haematopota bigoti) is a large horse fly species distinguished by its prominent dark spots across pale wings and robust build. As a blood-feeding insect, females play important ecological roles as both disease vectors and prey for various bird and spider species, while also serving as pollinators when feeding on nectar.
The Big-spotted Cleg (Haematopota bigoti) faces significant population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and climate-induced changes to water regimes have severely reduced the availability of suitable breeding and feeding habitats for this blood-feeding fly species.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Big-spotted Clegs inhabit marshy areas, wet meadows, and the edges of slow-moving streams where females lay eggs in moist soil. Adults are commonly found near grazing areas and woodland clearings where they seek blood meals from livestock and wild mammals.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Big-spotted Cleg (Haematopota bigoti) faces significant population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and climate-induced changes to water regimes have severely reduced the availability of suitable breeding and feeding habitats for this blood-feeding fly species.
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Wetland habitat loss and drainage
Climate change affecting water regimes
Pollution of aquatic breeding sites
Urban and infrastructure development
Found in 10 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Big-spotted Cleg (Haematopota bigoti). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/big-spotted-cleg