Observations of tabanid feeding on mares and foals

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1985
Authors:L. Foil, Stage, D., Adams, Jr, W. V., Issel, C. J.
Journal:American Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume:46
Pagination:1111-1113
Date Published:1985
Keywords:Disease, Horses, Louisiana, Mechanical transmission, Tabanidae, USA
Abstract:

The occurrence of tabanid feeding between mares and foals was observed. When mares and foals were observed freely moving within a pasture situation, foals had 2.43% (4 flies in 77 observations vs 297 flies in 139 observations) of the tabanid feeding occurrences of the mares. This difference in tabanid burden varied due to herd size, herd location, and tabanid species. Lower tabanid burden of foals was indicated as a practical protective mechanism against pathogenic agents mechanically transmitted by tabanids, such as equine infectious anemia virus.

Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith