Tail Season: Why They Appear During Summer

As soon as temperatures rise and summer arrives, many people look for panoramas in nature to disconnect, such as going for a hike in the forest or spending the day in a river.

Sometimes this trip can be overshadowed by an uncomfortable visitor: With its powerful buzzing and its proximity to bodies, it continues to bother the walkers it identifies around it.

It is Osca can -Before Scaptia can -, popularly known in Chile as tail tail a species of fly that belongs to the family Tabanidae . It is often wrongly called horsefly However, this concept covers more than 116 species.

This species of horsefly is native to Chile and Argentina. In the case of our country, it was identified between the metropolitan region and the Los Lagos region.

It is robust in size, reaching up to two centimeters in larger specimens, depending on the iO Foundation . Its body is predominantly black, while orange bands adorn the chest area.

The name by which he is known refers to his own physical appearance: It comes from Mapudungún colli (red) and huata (abdomen).

“Family Tabanidaeto which it belongs, is characterized because Females are hematophagous, meaning they feed on blood. They have an oral adaptation that allows them to extract blood from mammals,” explains to La Tercera Rodrigo Barahona Segovia, academic at the Department of Biological Sciences and Biodiversity of the University of Los Lagos and researcher of the Chilean initiative of flower flies.

In this species, there is also sexual dimorphism: while females have separate eyes, males have separate eyes. “Normally, it is the females that sting and the males are nectarines, that is to say they feed on the flowers” adds Barahona.

This horsefly usually walks in groups. The season where it is most observed coincides with the summer period in Chile, between December and February. To this must be added their habitat: areas of forests, rivers and lakes, so many tourists could meet them and feel their rapid approach.

According to the academic from the University of Los Lagos, The reason the tail is visible at these times is due to its reproductive cycle.

“Like many other species, this insect has a life cycle in which the larva develops mainly in winter and spring. The larvae live associated with semi-aquatic areas or large water flows, such as rivers and lagoons,” explains the specialist.

Once the larval cycle of Osca can ends, the larval chrysalis, which corresponds to its last stage before becoming an adult.

“In January, the imagos, that is to say the adults, begin to appear in abundance. This species of horsefly is therefore observed at this time because its biological cycle is adapted to this. he adds.

On the other hand, the reason they get so close to humans is directly related to the fact that females seek to extract blood from mammals, in order to feed and develop their own eggs.

“This is the basis. Our blood contains proteins that the female needs to be able to generate them,” adds the researcher.

Additionally, one factor that influences tail attraction is the use of dark clothing, such as blue or black.

The scientist claims that the bites of this insect are not that frequent. “Since they’re always spinning and their buzzing is loud, it’s hard for someone to get distracted and not notice.” With other species of horseflies, which are rather silent, the bites may be easier.

“The damage from his bite is not major, as it consists of discomfort, an urge to scratch and a little pain. It would be different if the person is allergic to insect stings, but that’s another thing. explains Barahona.

Avoiding the presence of a group of tails can be considered a daunting task, although it can still be attempted.

If you are going to a place where this insect could live, a useful measure is to choose your clothing wisely: You have to forget about dark clothes and opt for light clothes.

“If you have to walk in the sun, for example, you should try to wear long sleeves. I know it’s very difficult in summer, but it’s an alternative,” adds Barahona. Other options include traveling on less open roads and avoiding the hottest times of the day.

For the academic, it must be emphasized that this species of gadfly exerts a key function of the ecosystem which should not go unnoticed. For this reason they should not be eliminated.

“Like many other fly species, tails need nectar, and by seeking nectar they also have the potential to be pollinable. Fruit flies are necessary, although it is difficult for most to understand that they play a role in the ecosystem, either because they pollinate or because they are part of the diet of other mammals and birds. account.

“Their season lasts a few months. You have to show a little patience and not kill them,” he concludes.