They are known for their painful bites and can be quite aggressive when seeking out a blood meal. Here are some additional details about what horse flies like to eat:
1. Blood type preference: Horse flies do not have a specific preference for any particular blood type. They will feed on any blood source they can find, regardless of the animal's species.
2. Host animals: Horse flies commonly target large animals such as horses, cattle, pigs, and deer. However, they can also feed on smaller animals like dogs, cats, and birds.
3. Feeding behavior: Horse flies use their sharp mouthparts to pierce the skin of their host and feed on the blood. They typically take several blood meals during their lifespan, with females requiring more blood than males for egg production.
4. Painful bites: Horse fly bites can be quite painful due to the jagged edges of their mouthparts. The bites can cause swelling, itching, and discomfort in both humans and animals.
It's worth noting that horse flies do not transmit diseases like mosquitoes, but their bites can be very annoying and can lead to secondary infections if not properly treated.