Atylotus rusticus is a horse-fly in the genus Atylotus. It is found in Europe, Asia and North Africa. Atylotus rusticus belongs to the group of insects known as Endopterygota (holometabolising insects), which go through metamorphosis during their life. The larvae are radically different from the full-grown insects. Between the larvae stage and the grown stage is a pupae stage, where the fly's inner and outer organs develop.