The common European Cleg is a large, black/blue-black blood-sucking 'horsefly' of the family Tabanidae. It is commonly referred to as a Gadfly in the United States. They are powerful flyers, and the females are furnished with a lancet-like proboscis which can pierce the thickest skin.

Common European Cleg (Gadfly)

The common European Cleg is a large, black/blue-black blood-sucking 'horsefly' of the family Tabanidae.…

A gadfly, or Bot-fly, that lays its eggs on horses. After these eggs hatch on the skin, the larvae bore into the skin and create tumors ('warbles') beneath it. When fully fed, they leave their host and drop to the ground, bury themselves, and, after pupation, emerge as flies. This illustration is enlarged, and also shows the larvae.

Gadfly of Horse

A gadfly, or Bot-fly, that lays its eggs on horses. After these eggs hatch on the skin, the larvae bore…