How did horse flies get their name?

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How did horse flies get their name?

My son is looking for how the name came into being.

2006-09-19 14:55:37 · 2 answers · asked by danevenson 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology

2 answers

Two possibilities. Most likely it is from the fact that these large flies frequent stables and not infrequently bite horses. However, the name could also be related simply to the fact that this type of fly is very large - a real horse of a fly, so to speak.

2006-09-19 16:44:36 · answer #1 · answered by barbara m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋

You think this would be self explanatory.

Horse fly...found mainly on horses...just a guess, but I think that's why.

2006-09-19 16:44:30 · answer #2 · answered by Shaun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋