Large Marsh Horsefly
Tabanus autumnalis
Tabanus autumnalis, the large marsh horsefly, is a medium-sized species of biting horse-fly. It is somewhat scarce compared to T.
33
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabanus_autumnalis
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
Family
Tabanidae
Genus
Tabanus
Large Marsh Horsefly belongs to the family Tabanidae, order Diptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Tabanus autumnalis, the large marsh horsefly, is a medium-sized species of biting horse-fly. It is somewhat scarce compared to T. bromius and T. bovinus. This species shows slightly more of a preference for coastal marsh than some of the other European Tabanus, sometime even found in saltmashes. Wing length is 13–16 mm and about 16–22 mm in body length.
The Large Marsh Horsefly faces severe population decline primarily due to widespread destruction and degradation of its specialized wetland habitats. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and drainage of marshlands have eliminated much of the species' breeding and feeding grounds, while climate change further threatens remaining suitable habitat.
Key Facts
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Large Marsh Horsefly faces severe population decline primarily due to widespread destruction and degradation of its specialized wetland habitats. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and drainage of marshlands have eliminated much of the species' breeding and feeding grounds, while climate change further threatens remaining suitable habitat.
Agricultural intensification and land conversion
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Wetland habitat destruction and drainage
Climate change and altered precipitation patterns
Water pollution and eutrophication
Found in 33 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). Large Marsh Horsefly (Tabanus autumnalis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/large-marsh-horsefly