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Horsefly Cornea - Positive
During its lifecycle, a single horsefly will go through several stages. Eggs are laid in large masses on rocks or vegetation that overhang water, hatching after approximately four days. As larvae, horseflies are fairly mobile and usually pass through six to nine instars, or intermediate phases, before pupation. The process often takes several months and allows overwintering of the species. Horsefly larvae feed on other larvae, crustaceans, snails and earthworms, capturing prey with their sharp mandibles and injecting them with venom. When the larvae are ready to pupate they migrate towards water and the top few inches of soil where they remain for one to three weeks. Emerging from their pupal cases, the primary concern of adult horseflies is feeding, closely followed by the need to mate.
