Ultraviolet radiation as an attractant for adult horn flies.

Abstract

The positive phototactic response of horn flies, Haemalabia irritans (L.), to the UV and violet-blue regions of the spectrum was evaluated as a possible attractant. Fifteen and 40-watt Blacklight Blue, Blacklight, and Daylight fluorescent lamps were used as light sources in small-cage studies where only flies were present and in large-cage studies where both flies and a cow were present. At night attraction of horn flies was greatest to light from a Blacklight Blue lamp. This lamp was more attractive to the flies than a cow which was present in the cage.