Biological studies on Tabanus iyoensis group of Japan, with special reference to their blood-sucking habits (Diptera, Tabanidae)

It is thought that some 90 species of Tabanidae in 9 genera occur in Japan. The medical and veterinary importance of this group is briefly reviewed, and a detailed account is presented of studies on the group of Tabanus iyoensis Shir. that were concerned with the morphology of the immature stages, the distribution in Japan and the biology of the flies, the blood-sucking activities of the group, with special reference to autogeny, the medical importance of the group to man in Japan and the natural enemies of the tabanids. The author recognised 9 species as belonging to the group of T. iyoensis; they include T. masamitsui Hayakawa and T. hyugaensis Hayakawa, which were collected for the first time in the course of this study, and T. humilis Coq. T. sapporoensis Shir., T. kotoshoensis Shir. and T. otsurui Ogawa. Keys for the separation of the eggs, larvae and pupae of the group are provided. In addition to the severe annoyance to man and animals caused by the biting adults, in some districts the larvae bite the hands and feet of workers in the rice-fields. Tabanids are thought to be implicated in Japan in the transmission of tularaemia and anthrax to man and equine infectious anaemia to horses and summer mastitis to heifers.