Tabanidae: use of a self-marking device to determine populations in the Mississippi-Yazoo River Delta

Fluorescent pigment in a self-marking device on a Malaise trap baited with carbon dioxide (released at 100 or 500 ml/min) was used to mark flies in an attempt to estimate the size of the tabanid population in the Delta Experimental Forest, Stoneville, Mississippi. Flies were recaptured in 3 other malaise traps baited with carbon dioxide. The estimated daily average for the first test from 1 to 25 August 1974 was 989 195 female tabanids in the 4-mile2 area. The estimated daily average for a second test from 10 September to 7 October 1974 was 275 497 female tabanids in the same area.