Feeding Behavior of Some Tennessee Tabanidae

Abstract

Landing site selection on cattle was observed for 19 tabanine species or species groups in eastern Tennessee during 1977 and 1978. Definite area preferences for alighting and presumably for feeding were observed for many species. Trends were noted for horse fly distribution relative to height on the host. A positive correlation was found between mean hair depth at point of landing and mean tabanid mouthpart lengths.