ID for this pig-biter!

Tudful Tamworths · #1 (**permalink**) 14-07-2011, 04:54 PM

I caught this feasting on one of my sows today and quickly whacked it with a feed scoop! Quite a few around at the moment, leaving big open wounds for all the other insects to savour. Looks a lot like something that bit my thumb in Tunisia, causing it to swell up like a balloon. Thought it might be some kind of hornet, but was hoping for an expert opinion on this site!

Thanks
Liz
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aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 14-07-2011, 04:58 PM

Welcome to WAB Liz. Unfortunately your photo hasn't appeared. As a guess maybe a horsefly of some description?

The Woodman · #3 (**permalink**) 14-07-2011, 05:19 PM

Looks like that giant Tabanid Tabanus sudeticus. Think yourself lucky it wasn't feeding on you! It's one heck of a blood sucking fly.

Tudful Tamworths · #4 (**permalink**) 14-07-2011, 05:24 PM

Thanks for such a swift reply!

The Woodman · #5 (**permalink**) 14-07-2011, 05:26 PM

There's a bit about it here....The Ranger's Blog - Post details: Check out this massive fly

p.s. I never thought there would be a Haynes Pig Manual in their portfolio!

Tudful Tamworths · #6 (**permalink**) 15-07-2011, 09:04 AM

Thanks for that link - glad it wasn't 8cm long like the one someone saw! Scary blighter, though. Left some nasty wounds on my pigs, so I'm going through a lot of purple spray at the moment!

Do you think it's worth telling the County Recorder(I used to work for the Wildlife Trusts in a previous life)? Would it be of sufficient interest? I'm afraid insects aren't my strong point - ask me one about plants and I'm not too bad!

BTW, no, the Pig Manual is a real book:
Pig Manual: The Complete Step-by-step Guide to Keeping Pigs: Amazon.co.uk: Liz Shankland: Books

I'm now writing the Smallholding Manual for them. Cars have become too complicated, so they've diversified. There's a Bee Manual, too, if anyone on here is interested!

All the best
Liz

The Woodman · #7 (**permalink**) 15-07-2011, 09:26 AM

Liz

This is hard to believe but I've just walked to the greenhouse and guess what was on the boat tarpaulin? A large T.sudeticus! I ran to the van and got the camera. Downloading shots now - be back soon.

The Woodman · #8 (**permalink**) 15-07-2011, 09:42 AM

Yes, I do think all interesting records should be reported to the appropriate recorder. I'll be sending this to the Cumbria recorder.

We get one or two of these every year, they come into the garage for whatever reason and I'm glad I've never been bitten by one.

There was a day when every DIYer had a Haynes manual for his/her car - I did and it saved me a fortune. I hardly look under the bonnet these days apart from yesterday when I replaced a headlight bulb. Good old Land Rover, they made that job really easy. Good luck to Haynes and their diversification.