Mule deer and elk responses to horsefly attacks

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1982
Authors:W. B. Collins, Urness P. J.
Journal:Northwest Science
Volume:56
Pagination:299-302
Date Published:1982
Keywords:Behaviour, Deer, Elk, Hybomitra opaca, Tabanidae, Tabanus punctifer, USA
Abstract:

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and elk (Cervus elaphus) in Utah were found to be greatly disturbed by Hybomitra opaca (Coq.) and Tabanus punctifer O.S., but the 2 mammals exhibited distinctly different behaviour for coping with attacks. The compatibility of these behaviours with habitat preferences and other species-specific behaviour is discussed. Elk attracted 3 times as many tabanids as did deer.

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