Species Insects & ArthropodsStriped Deer Fly

Striped Deer Fly

Chrysops vittatus

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Striped Deer Fly (Chrysops vittatus)

The Striped Deer Fly is a small, patterned deer fly with brilliant golden-green eyes, dark-banded wings, and a yellow-and-black striped abdomen. Female deer flies are blood-feeders that hover annoyingly around the heads of humans and livestock before landing to bite. They are serious pests in wooded and marshy areas throughout summer.

Habitat
Wooded areas near wetlands, streams, and ponds
Diet
Females: blood of large mammals. Males: nectar. Larvae: aquatic or semi-aquatic predators
How common
Common

Best time to see a Striped Deer Fly

The best time to see a Striped Deer Fly is June–July, when about 69% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 892 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Recent Striped Deer Fly sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

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