Downland Horsefly
Tabanus glaucopis
Tabanus glaucopis, also known as the downland horsefly, is a species of biting horse-fly.
22
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Σάββας Ζαφειρίου (Savvas Zafeiriou), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Σάββας Ζαφειρίου (Savvas Zafeiriou)
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
Family
Tabanidae
Genus
Tabanus
Downland Horsefly belongs to the family Tabanidae, order Diptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Tabanus glaucopis, also known as the downland horsefly, is a species of biting horse-fly.
The Downland Horsefly faces significant threats from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and urban development of its specialized chalk downland ecosystems. Climate change and altered grazing regimes are further degrading the short grassland habitats this species depends on for breeding and foraging.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Chalk downlands and calcareous grasslands with short turf maintained by grazing, typically found on well-drained slopes and hillsides. The species requires areas with sparse vegetation where adults can hunt for prey and access suitable breeding sites in the underlying soil.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and conversion of chalk downlands
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Climate change altering habitat conditions
Habitat fragmentation isolating populations
Loss of traditional grazing management
Found in 22 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). Downland Horsefly (Tabanus glaucopis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/downland-horsefly