Hippo Fly (Tabanus biguttatus)

Hippo Fly (Tabanus biguttatus) Family Tabanidae

These flies are huge - must be at least an inch in body length if not more. They attack large animals such as cattle and hippo's driving them to spend the night underwater to avoid being bitten.

 The larvae live in mud pans, constructing mud pillars above the surface to avoid dehydration. They feed on insect larvae and tadpoles.