Reactions of large mammals to biting flies in Ruwenzori National Park, Uganda

From observations in the Rwenzori National Park, Uganda, in 1965-67, the reactions to biting flies of 13 of the most abundant species of wild mammals are described qualitatively. The diurnal patterns of reactions to biting flies are described from mean hourly frequency counts for buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer), Uganda Kob (Kobus kob thomasi (Adenota kob thomasi)), topi (Damaliscus korrigum ugandae) and cattle (Bos taurus). Clear peaks of activity were recorded for shivers, tail and ear flicks, head beats, and fore- and hind-limb lifts; those of tongue licks, shaking the entire body, lying down and running were not prominent. Detailed information is given on the feeding sites of Glossina and Stomoxyinae on cattle (separately for 15 species of flies), the species of biting flies caught on shot and immobilised mammals of 8 species, the feeding sites of about 20 species of tabanids and related flies on cattle, analyses of 222 blood-meals from about 12 kinds of biting flies and the disturbances caused to feeding blood-sucking insects by the reactions of cattle. The seasonal patterns reported indicate that the responses of large mammals occur throughout the year, with peaks in April-June and October-December, when the density of blood-sucking flies is highest. The rainy seasons appear responsible for the marked seasonal patterns of response, which is related to the abundance of most species of Haematopota, Tabanus, Chrysops, Stomoxys, Haematobosca and Glossina.