Dispersal and flight activities of some species of Tabanus (Diptera: Tabanidae)

The dispersal, flight activity and length of life of some species of the genus Tabanus were studied in Macoun County, Alabama, by recapturing marked flies during the summers of 1969 and 1970. Of the 1063 marked flies released in 1969 and the 2931 released in 1970, 11 marked flies were recaptured in 1969 and 103 in 1970. Marked flies recaptured during 1969 and 1970 were of the following species: T. fulvulus Wied., T. lineola F., T. melanocerus Wied., T. nigripes Wied., T. pallidescens Philip and T. petiolatus Hine. It was found that some flies did not range widely. The amount of wooded terrain in the flight path apparently had no influence on the number of recaptures. Flies were recaptured up to 23 days after release. The numbers of recaptures east and west of the release point and in open and wooded areas showed there was no preference for any of these areas. The flies were equally distributed throughout the area.