Feeding sites of some Louisiana Tabanidae (Diptera) on fenvalerate-treated and control cattle

Feeding patterns of Tabanidae on Jersey bullocks in southcentral Louisiana were investigated during 1988-1990. Diel activity was highest in late morning and early afternoon. Numbers of tabanids attacking animals sprayed with a 0.002% fenvalerate solution and untreated controls did not differ. Preferences in feeding sites were observed for eight horse fly species (Tabanus americanus, T. fuscicostatus, T. pallidescens, T. wilsoni, T. lineola, T. limbatinevris, T. trimaculatus, Leucotabanus annulatus). A descending anterior-to-posterior trend was noted for the number of tabanid flies feeding on host animals. Number of tabanids feeding on the front legs was highly correlated with number of flies on the entire body. The number of flies occurring on the body can be estimated from the number of flies on the front legs.