Impact of tabanids on cattle: blood meal size and preferred feeding sites

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1980
Authors:A. L. Hollander, Wright R. E.
Journal:Journal of Economic Entomology
Volume:73
Pagination:431-433
Date Published:1980a
Keywords:Blood Meals, Feeding, Hybomitra lasiophthalma, Oklahoma, Tabanidae, Tabanus abactor, Tabanus atratus, Tabanus equalis, Tabanus mularis, Tabanus subsimilis, Tabanus sulcifrons, USA
Abstract:

During studies carried out in Oklahoma in 1978 and 1979, the blood-meal sizes for several species of tabanids were determined as follows: Chrysops callidus O.-S. 22.8 mg, Hybomitra lasiophthalma (Macq.) 82.8 mg, Tabanus abactor Philip 147.4 mg, T. atratus F. 681.8 mg, T. equalis Hine 186.6 mg, T. mularis Stone 56.9 mg, T. subsimilis Bellardi 65.6 mg, and T. sulcifrons Macq. 367.4 mg. During periods of peak populations, the blood loss in cattle caused by tabanids was estimated at more than 200 ml/animal per day, based on the number engorging. Each species had a preferred site for landing and biting, which limited inter- and intraspecific interaction.

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