Impact of Tahanids on Cattle: Blood Meal Size and Preferred Feeding Sites12

Abstract

The blood meal size of the following tabanids was determined: Chrysops callidus Osten Sacken, 22.8 mg; Hybomitra lasiophthalma (Macquart), 82.8 mg; Tabanus abactor Philip, 147.4 mg; T. atratus L., 681.8 mg; T. equalis Hine, 186.6 mg; T. mularis Stone, 56.9 mg; T. subsimilis Bellardi, 65.6 mg; and T. sulcifrons Macquart, 367.4 mg. During periods of peak populations, blood loss from tabanids was calculated as over 200 cc/animal/day based on the number of specimens engorging. Each species has a preferred site for landing and biting which limited inter-, and intraspecific interaction.