Flight range and dispersal activity of the host-seeking horse fly, Tabanus abactor (Diptera: Tabanidae), in north-central Oklahoma

Flight range, dispersal activity and habitat preference were determined for Tabanus abactor in north central Oklahoma, using a mark-recapture technique. In 1982 and 1983, engorged and nonengorged adults were marked and released at the same release site. Flies were recaptured in 12 Malaise traps which were baited with carbon dioxide and located 0.4 and 0.8 km from the central release site in 1982, and in 20 traps located 0.4-2.4 km from the release site in 1983. A total of 45 153 flies were marked and released, with a mean recapture rate of 6.12%. Recapture rates of about 9 and 4% were achieved for the engorged and nonengorged flies, respectively. Engorged flies were recaptured in the greatest numbers on days 3 and 4 after release, whereas nonengorged flies were recaptured primarily on days 1 and 2. Dispersal of the engorged flies was the same as that of the nonengorged flies once digestion of the blood-meal had occurred. Marked flies were recaptured at all distances from the release site, but over 85% of those recaptured were collected within 8 days after release.