The downward-projecting blade-like mouthparts of the horse-fly Chrysops relictus enable it to cut the skin to suck blood from horses and other large animals, including humans. The flies of the Tabanidae family are the largest blood-sucking flies.

See the front view of the face of Chrysops.

 
Part of the Collection of the Insect Portrait Gallery of the Micropolitan Museum © Wim van Egmond