The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

Might I ask your expert opinion further to my forum entry. If I get rid of a goodly amount of my olive trees and open up the land will this rid me of the Tabanus nigrovittatus (Horse Flies), please? Obviously I cannot get rid of a huge boulder holding up the side of my terrace, but if I put a cabin right the other end of the acre and made it an open area, would I be safer that end, please (this alludes to the T. nigrovittatus nesting in boulders(?))

The large mosquitos are kept at bay by the Horse Flies, but I realise I would need to put a flyscreen around a terrace area to be able to sit out from the cabin. I usually burn Citronella candles.

I am not daft enough to camp on the land. For all I know, jackals come at night! But yet I feel safe, as no beast dare approach in the domain of the 'airborne division' of the biggest flies anywhere (?)

thank you.

Thank you Malcolm.

Yes I have come across a huge herd during the 'rush hour' on my way back from my land to town (a small fishing village more like), but they were a 15 minute drive away from my plot.

Actually within the area I have yet to see a donkey or a goat or a sheep. It is all deep olive groves in undulating landscape, with no houses nearby.

What I suspect is that there is salt marsh down in the ravines between the terraces, because when I have driven beyond my land I have come across reed beds. I cannot explore to much as I have a fear of getting totally lost in this wilderness of rural tracks. (Yes I know, put a thread from a ball of rope and re-track my steps, mythology not withstanding).

I have been told about a 'Manitoba Trap' which I will try.

But I have been told that in a forest of my town in England there are Horse flies, but I have been to the hospital several times that is nearby and never been bitten. So perhaps stagnant waters and forest help, but as you say they must have something to eat to be there.

What predators attack this huge monstrous fly, please? Some kind of bird perhaps - I could put out nests for them? Would that help?

Close overhead I feel the breeze of great wings, thought it was these flies and saw the great wings of the biggest buzzard I've ever seen. Perhaps not big enough to be an Egyptian vulture. Do they eat these flies?

Will I be eaten again when I go in July, or do they not eat blood but in the breeding season?

I do have a fear of them as a naturalist site studying in Greece gave an example of a tethered donkey being attacked in plague proportions and which died from loss of blood! However, I have succeeded with a secret weapon - Ambre solaire suncream deeply plastered on.

Would it help, if I brought goats onto my land and the flies would eat them and not me?

Loads of questions, sorry. But glad to have found an expert. If I squash one I will take a picture and see if I can post a picture on this forum for you.

Thank you.