Attraction of horse flies and tsetse flies (Dipt. Muscidae) to painted metal drums.

Female Tabanids of several species were collected or observed resting on shiny grey 44-gal painted metal fuel drums at Ukunda in Kenya in February-March 1969. The drums were under a tree and near buildings and a concrete slab, which may have simulated the pool of water to passing flies, and the drums may have been mistaken for resting animals. Horizontal drums were more attractive than upright ones, and only one fly was seen on a dull red vertical drum. Two horizontal grey drums end-to-end were more attractive than single drums. Over a period of a month, Tabanids of seven species were recorded on the drums. One adult of Glossina pallidipes Newst. of undetermined sex was also taken. In the nearby Muhaka Forest, two males of G. austeni Newst. were caught after they had alighted on the curved sides of a drum placed across a pathway.