Collection and maintenance procedure for tabanid oviposition: A three-year study

A procedure was developed for collecting and maintaining engorged horseflies for egg and larval production during a 3-year study at the Pine Tree Experiment Station near Colt, Arkansas (USA). Tabanus subsimilis (Bellardi), Tabanus lineola (F.), and Tabanus proximus (Walker) were the most abundant horse files in each year. Sperm was present in 99% of all engorgd flies collected. Approximately 40% of all engorged horse flies oviposited successfully during the first year but declined to 24 and 5.4% in the subsequent years. The average time required for oviposition was approximately 12 days or less but varied with species. The average incubation time for egg hatch ranged from 3 to 20 days depending on species. There appeared to be a negative correlation between the number of larvae produced and both development and incubation times.