About Deer Fly
Deer flies (Chrysops spp.) are 6–10 mm flies with patterned wings and iridescent compound eyes that breed in moist soils near ponds and streams. Females are persistent biters that circle hosts relentlessly, delivering a painful scissor-like bite that immediately draws blood. They are active primarily in warm, sunny weather near wooded wetlands. Beyond the pain and local reaction their bites cause, deer flies transmit tularemia (rabbit fever) and, in some tropical regions, the parasitic filarial worm Loa loa, which migrates through subcutaneous tissues including across the cornea of the eye.
Geographic Distribution
This insect is found across Africa, with notable populations in Egypt and surrounding regions.
Management
If you suspect a Deer Fly problem, consult our recommended exterminator services or browse our full pest species database for related species and control guidance.