Field evaluations in Malaise and canopy traps of selected targets as attractants for tabanid species (Diptera: Tabanidae)

Various configurations of an inflated vinyl beach ball covered with black fabric were evaluated in Malaise and canopy (modified Manitoba) traps for possible use as an insecticide-impregnated visual target (T) for Tabanidae. In Malaise traps, T attracted 2x more flies than no T. When inflated with carbon dioxide, T was not significantly different from T filled with air, no matter which type of trap it was in. In canopy traps, 2 or 4 white spots applied to T did not increase its attractiveness to tabanids. When treated with octenol, T was 2-5x more attractive than an untreated T in canopy traps. However, when an octenol treatment was aged for 48 h, it was less effective than a fresh treatment. Overall, the 3 most frequently collected species, in order of abundance, were: Tabanus lineola hinellus, Hybomitra vicina and Chrysops atlanticus. Significantly more T. l. hinellus and H. vicina were collected at T with octenol than at T without octenol. Attempts to detect an insecticidal effect on flies captured in both types of trap that had been baited with Ts treated with permethrin were unsuccessful.