Studies on the feeding habits of female Tabanus taeniola P. de B.

Further studies were carried out in Egypt on the biology of Tabanus taeniola P. de B. [cf. preceding abstract, etc.]. The feeding mechanism and the biting habits of the females were observed and are described in detail. Females took an average of 133.8 mg blood when feeding on citrated calf blood and 129.0 mg when feeding on a guineapig. A blood-meal was essential for oviposition, and a fully engorged female did not feed again until the eggs had been deposited. The maximum number of blood-meals taken by one individual was six. If the females had no access to water and sugar solution between blood-meals they laid no eggs. Under insectary conditions, the gonotrophic cycle lasted 3.3 days in June-July and 5.1 days in October-November. For each female, the duration of the first cycle was slightly longer than that of subsequent ones. Biting activity was greatest in the afternoon, the precise hour varying from month to month.