Horseflies!

[slowereveryyear]

At certain times in the summer we see a lot of horseflies about. Generally I don't get troubled by them. The one time I got bitten it was sore for a couple of hours and then just a bit red.
My wife has been bitten many times and always has a nasty reaction lasting days.
When we're out walking or cycling she gets bitten and I don't.
I wonder why they prefer some people to bite and not others?

I've read it's the females that do the biting, they need blood to breed.
Maybe she has more blood.

 

[Dave7]

At certain times in the summer we see a lot of horseflies about. Generally I don't get troubled by them. The one time I got bitten it was sore for a couple of hours and then just a bit red.
My wife has been bitten many times and always has a nasty reaction lasting days.
When we're out walking or cycling she gets bitten and I don't.
I wonder why they prefer some people to bite and not others?

I've read it's the females that do the biting, they need blood to breed.
Maybe she has more blood.

I know that gnats prefer to gorge on people with certain blood types** perhaps its similar with horseflies.
**on a cycling holiday in Majorca with a mate he was badly bitten and i had none. His blood type was the one specified (cant remember which type it is).

 

[MontyVeda]

I've heard that horse flies are attracted to darker clothing.