Which family is known for horse flies?

The family known for horse flies is Tabanidae. Horse flies are large, robust flies that are easily recognizable due to their size and aggressive nature. They belong to the Tabanidae family, which is characterized by their strong, piercing mouthparts that enable them to feed on the blood of mammals. Tabanidae are commonly found in a variety of habitats, especially near water sources, as their larvae typically develop in aquatic or semi-aquatic environments.

In contrast, the other families listed are associated with different types of insects. Empididae includes dance flies, known for their aerial displays and predaceous behavior. Simuliidae consists of black flies, which are also blood-feeders but are much smaller and have a different life cycle compared to horse flies. Baetidae is a family of mayflies, which are not at all related to horse flies and are primarily aquatic at the larval stage. This context highlights why Tabanidae is the correct answer for identifying the family associated with horse flies.