Comparison of methods for feeding blood to Tabanusnigrovittatus in the laboratory

Females of Tabanus nigrovittatus Macq. collectively presented warmed (31-37 deg C), citrated beef blood from saturated folded Kimwipes imbibed more blood on average (51.4 mu l) than the other 3 methods tested. Grouped females presented warmed blood from Parafilm bags imbibed an average of 40.3 mu l, individual females in large (450 ml) containers imbibed 39.5 mu l while individual females in small (35 ml) containers imbibed 4.3 mu l. Twenty of 25 individually fed females in large containers and 1 of 25 individuals fed in small containers took blood-meals, exceeding their pre-fed weight. Based on an average pre-fed weight of 25 females, 35 of the 50 grouped females tested took blood-meals exceeding the pre-fed average weight.