Chrysops sp.

This is a deer fly in the genus Chrysops. The larvae are mostly predators of other insects and live under ground. Adult deer flies can deliver painful bites and are primarily diurnal. Deer flies are not generally host specific. However, adults have been shown to prefer feeding on darker colored hosts because of the light polarizing and heat absorption properties that the darker coats possess. 

Order: Diptera
Family: Tabanidae
Species: probably Chrysops sp.

Photograph: © 2021 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 28 July 2021
Location: Wyoming, Park Co. (44.090256, -109.272763)