Horse Fly Species Research Articles

New Species of Bottom Macroinvertebrates for the Fauna of Kalmykia

A list of 17 species of bottom macroinvertebrates that are recorded in water bodies of Kalmykia for the first time is presented: six chironomid species, four mollusk species, three oligochaete species, one short-palped cranefly species, one dragonfly species, one horsefly species, and one biting midge species. The location of these species and their ecological and faunistic characteristic are given. All identified species are generally widespread in Russia.

The Horsefly Fauna (Diptera, Tabanidae) of Yakutia

The literature on the fauna of the family Tabanidae (Diptera) of Yakutia is analyzed. The distribution of 37 species of horseflies over 7 natural regions of Yakutia is considered. Seven taxa of horseflies previously known by erroneous records are excluded from the fauna of Yakutia.

Species identification of horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Thailand using DNA barcoding

Horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) are of medical and veterinary importance because they are known to transmit pathogens. Approximately 80 species of horse flies have been reported in Thailand. Monitoring the distribution of horse fly species is important to control the spread of diseases transmitted by them. Currently, the species identification of horse flies is based on their morphology; this requires considerable skills and taxonomic expertise, and it may be difficult to identify morphologically similar species. DNA-based identification methods are increasingly being developed for rapid and accurate identification of various insect species. In this study, we used mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) for species identification of horse flies in Thailand. A 658 bp fragment of COI was amplified from 145 adult horse flies belonging to 48 morphologically distinct species and sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed an intraspecific divergence of 0.0%–4.4% and an interspecific divergence of 0.0%–16.2%. Our results showed that COI barcodes were effective in discriminating a majority of horse flies in Thailand on the basis of the barcoding gap and phylogenetic analyses. However, COI barcodes were unable to distinguish among members of the Tabanus striatus complex and some species within the T. ceylonicus group.

Seasonal Abundance ofTabanus calensand Other Tabanidae (Diptera) Near Snake Mountain, Addison County, Vermont

Weekly collections, from May to September over 3 years from one 2-tier box trap in Addison, VT, totaled more than 29,000 tabanids representing 44 species and included 417 Tabanus calens. Seasonal succession was evident, with T. calens most numerous in the upper trap in August. This very large horse fly was easily collected around a bait horse with an aerial net. Other abundant horse fly species were Hybomitra lasiophthalma, T. quinquevittatus, T. lineola, and T. sackeni. The most abundant deer flies were Chrysops univittatus and C. vittatus. Most deer flies showed a preference for the upper trap, whereas horse flies showed a mixed preference. Tabanus quinquevittatus made up 60% of the collected horseflies in the trap. The trap collected 41% less horse flies (73% less T. calens) and 24% less deer flies with the trap in 2013 to compared to in 2015. Both the presence of T. calens and the use of the 2-tier box trap in Vermont at one site for 3 whole seasons were new events. Tabanus calens was not listed in the 1990 checklist of Vermont tabanids. These results are presented in the context of trap modifications, range extension, and polarized light.

Checklist of horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) from Taquaruçu, Tocantins, Brazil, with new records for the state

A list of horse fly species is presented for the district of Taquaruçu, Palmas, Tocantins, Brazil . A total of 34 species and three varieties were recorded over one year of collections. From those, 21 species and one variety were new records for the state.

Two new species of horse flies in the genera Caenoprosopon and Pseudotabanus (Diptera: Tabanidae) from a remnant coastal rainforest in southern New South Wales

AbstractTwo new species of horse flies, one in the genus Caenoprosopon Ricardo and one in the genus Pseudotabanus Ricardo, are described from a temperate rainforest on the far south coast of New South Wales. Caenoprosopon niger sp. nov. and P. mackerrasi sp. nov. are diagnosed and illustrated. Revised keys to the species of Caenoprosopon, and the species of the P. distincta species‐group, are provided.

Monitoring of feedlot associated flies fly populations at Karan Beef feedlot

Monitoring of feedlot associated flies fly populations at Karan Beef feedlot Flies associated with feedlots have important impacts, especially regarding economic impacts such as meat production, feed intake of cattle, the influence on production costs due to chemical fly control as well as environmental impacts due to possible bio-accumulation of insecticides and the development of insecticide resistance in insects. The painful irritation caused by haematophagous flies cause cattle to stomp their feet and bunching of cattle to avoid fly irritation. This avoidance behaviour has a negative effect on mass increase. Integrated fly management programs is the preferred solution to address these impacts. The first step in the development of an integrated fly management program is an investigation into the composition of the fly population in feedlots for the development of threshold levels for chemical control measures. This project reports on an initial determination of fly populations in a feedlot. The composition of fly populations was determined with different fly trap types in areas noted for severe irritation on cattle. Nzi passive tsetse type trap, green Chinese baited trap and 'redtop' baited traps were used. Collections were carried out from January 2012 to May 2012. The three most important fly species collected which cause the biggest feedlot problems were the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans), the house fly (Musca domestica) and a few horse fly species (Tabanidae). The Nzi trap was by far the most effective trap for the collection of the haematophagous flies. The Nzi trap was further used to determine the daily distribution of Stomoxys calcitrans and showed that most flies were collected between 11:00 and 15:00. Further research is carried out on the development of an integrated fly control program against nuisance flies in feedlots with the ultimate objective to decrease the economic and environmental impacts in feedlots and to increase profitability.

Evaluation of a maximum entropy geographic distribution model: A case study of the <i>Philoliche aethiopica</i> species complex (Diptera: Tabanidae) in South Africa

Evaluation of a maximum entropy geographic distribution model: A case study of the Philoliche aethiopica species complex (Diptera: Tabanidae) in South Africa. The potential geographic distribution of five horsefly species of the subgenus Philoliche (Philoliche) (Diptera: Tabanidae) was modelled using a maximum entropy approach with the aim of determining model performance.

Organization of studies of the gnus complex of bloodsucking dipterans (diptera: culicidae, ceratopogonidae, tabanidae) by Yu. S. Balashov

The paper gives a historical account of investigations of mosquitoes, black flies and horseflies carried out by the staff of the Laboratory of Parasitology, Zoological Institute RAS, supervised by a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prof Yu. S. Balashov, during 1979-1994. The research team of the laboratory explored the local fauna, relative abundance, seasonal dynamics, diurnal activity, longevity of a mass flight activity, annual fluctuations of the number, and age content of populations of various mosquito, black fly and horsefly species in the territory of Leningrad, Novgorod and Pskov Provinces. Attack peculiarities of various horse fly species were studied with the use of individual labeling.

Landscape and zonal distribution of bloodsucking mosquitoes and horseflies (Diptera: Culicidae, Tabanidae) in the northeastern Russian Plain

Analysis of landscape and zonal changes in the species diversity and abundance of 34 species of bloodsucking mosquitoes and 42 species of horseflies in the northeastern Russian Plain was carried out. The species diversity of both families is reduced from south to north. Two steps of faunistic depletion can be revealed: at the boundary of the middle and northern taiga (both mosquitoes and horseflies) and at the boundary of the extreme northern taiga and the forest-tundra (horseflies only). Species whose northern and southern distribution boundaries lie within the territory studied are listed.

Pangonius theodori a new horse fly species for science from Israel and Lebanon (Diptera: Tabanidae: Pangoniinae)

Pangonius theodori a new horse fly species (Diptera: Tabanidae: Pangoniinae) from northern Israel and southern Lebanon is described. The zoogeography, habitat preference and taxonomic position within the genus of the new species is discussed in detail.

An annotated checklist of the horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Lebanon with remarks on ecology and zoogeography: Pangoniinae and Chrysopsinae

Knowledge of the horse fly fauna (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Lebanon is fragmentary, while the local fauna of most neighboring countries has been fairly well researched. Within the framework of the 20-year project "The ecology and zoogeography of the Lepidoptera of the Near East," we regularly collected biting flies in the whole region, including Lebanon. During this time we recorded 14 horse fly species for two subfamilies in Lebanon: four Pangoniinae and ten Chrysopsinae. Only a single species, Chrysops flavipes Meigen, 1804, was known previously in Lebanon, but the following four Pangoniinae: Pangonius haustellatus (Fabricius, 1781), Pangonius obscuratus Loew, 1859, Pangonius argentatus (Szilady, 1923), and Pangonius fulvipes (Loew, 1859) and nine Chrysopsinae: Silvius appendiculatus Macquart, 1846, Silvius ochraceus Loew, 1858, Nemorius irritans (Ricardo, 1901), Nemorius vitripennis (Meigen, 1820), Chrysops buxtoniAusten, 1922, Chrysops compactusAusten, 1924, Chrysops caecutiens (Linnaeus, 1758), Chrysops italicus Meigen, 1804, and Chrysops hamatus Loew, 1858 are new records for the Lebanese fauna. The Tabanidae fauna of Lebanon is completely Palearctic and most species are of a Mediterranean distribution type. Lebanon or nearby northern Israel appears to be in the Levant, the southern geographical distribution border for the Pangoniinae and Chrysopsinae.

How can horseflies be captured by solar panels? A new concept of tabanid traps using light polarization and electricity produced by photovoltaics

Horseflies (Diptera: Tabanidae) can cause severe problems for humans and livestock because of the continuous annoyance performed and the diseases vectored by the haematophagous females. Therefore, effective horsefly traps are in large demand, especially for stock-breeders. To catch horseflies, several kinds of traps have been developed, many of them attracting these insects visually with the aid of a black ball. The recently discovered positive polarotaxis (attraction to horizontally polarized light) in several horsefly species can be used to design traps that capture female and male horseflies. The aim of this work is to present the concept of such a trap based on two novel principles: (1) the visual target of the trap is a horizontal solar panel (photovoltaics) attracting polarotactic horseflies by means of the highly and horizontally polarized light reflected from the photovoltaic surface. (2) The horseflies trying to touch or land on the photovoltaic trap surface are perished by the mechanical hit of a wire rotated quickly with an electromotor supplied by the photovoltaics-produced electricity. Thus, the photovoltaics is bifunctional: its horizontally polarized reflected light signal attracts water-seeking, polarotactic horseflies, and it produces the electricity necessary to rotate the wire. We describe here the concept and design of this new horsefly trap, the effectiveness of which was demonstrated in field experiments. The advantages and disadvantages of the trap are discussed. Using imaging polarimetry, we measured the reflection-polarization characteristics of the photovoltaic trap surface demonstrating the optical reason for the polarotactic attractiveness to horseflies.

Preliminary list of horse flies (Diptera, Tabanidae) of Serbia

Thirty six species of horse flies (Tabanidae) were previously known from Serbia (Europe). The present faunistic study of horse flies (Tabanidae) has resulted in the recording of the 4 new species Atylotus fulvus (Meigen, 1804); Tabanus miki Brauer in Brauer and Bergenstamm, 1880; Tabanus unifasciatus Loew, 1858; and Heptatoma pellucens (Fabricius, 1776), in the fauna of Serbia. The genus Heptatoma Meigen, 1803 is cited for the first time in the fauna of Serbia. 40 species are currently known from Serbia, belonging to nine genera. The fauna can be considered relatively poorly studied. Most of the species belong to the Boreal-Eurasian type of fauna 23, followed by the South European group with 8 species, the Mediterranean group with 6 species, European group with 2 species and Central European group with 1 species.

Molecular investigation of transplacental and vector-borne transmission of bovine haemoplasmas

The present study was carried out in a herd with concurrent infections of Mycoplasma wenyonii and ‘Candidatus M. haemobos’, to investigate if transplacental and/or vector-borne transmission is possible for one or both bovine haemoplasma species. For this purpose blood samples were collected from 38 mother animals and their newborn calves; as well as from 17 uninseminated cows twice three months apart. In addition, 311 mosquitoes and blood-sucking flies (Diptera: Culicidae, Tabanidae, Muscidae) were cought near the animals. DNA was extracted from all samples, followed by real-time PCR analysis. In 10.5% of neonate calves, that were born to cows harbouring both haemoplasmas, M. wenyonii and/or ‘Candidatus M. haemobos’ positivity was detected. Copy numbers in positive samples from cows and their calves indicated that – in comparison with M. wenyonii – ‘Candidatus M. haemobos’-bacteraemia had usually lower levels. In samples of uninseminated cows the rate of infection with the latter species decreased. These findings may explain why M. wenyonii was significantly more frequently detected in blood-sucking flies, than ‘Candidatus M. haemobos’. In conclusion, molecular evidence is provided for the first time on the transplacental transmission of bovine haemoplasmas. Regarding their spread by blood-sucking arthropods, new potential vectors were identified, i.e. the horn fly (Haematobia irritans), the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) and two species of horse flies (Tabanus bovinus, T. bromius).

Karyotype characterization of some Tabanidae (Diptera) species

Karyotypic features of Tabanidae (Diptera: Insecta) are largely unexplored. In this study, karyotypes of some horse fly species, Tabanus quatuornotatus Meigen, 1820, T. sudeticus Zeller, 1842, Dasyrhamphis umbrinus (Meigen, 1820), Atylotus loewianus (Villeneuve, 1920) and Haematopota italica Meigen, 1804 are described for the first time, and also, karyotypes of T. autumnalis Linnaeus, 1761, T. bromius (Linnaeus, 1761), T. bifarius Loew, 1858, T. unifasciatus (Loew, 1858), A. fulvus (Meigen, 1820) are confirmed. Karyotypic differences between six genera in Tabanidae will be discussed. Adult and larval specimens were collected, injected cholchicine and brought to the laboratory. After 24-48 hours tissues were dissected, fixed and dyed, respectively. After dying, preparations were made by squashing tissues and investigated with light microscope and photographed. Based on the results of the present study, the chromosome number in the following reads as follows; T. autumnalis 2n=14, T. bromius 2n=10, T. bifarius 2n=16, T. quatuornotatus 2n=16, T. sudeticus 2n=14, T. unifasciatus 2n=12, D. umbrinus 2n=10, A. fulvus 2n=18, A. loewianus 2n=18 and H. italica 2n=14 chromosome number. Chromosome number, chromosome arm length and arm ratio,

Comparison of sampling tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) by four different potential attractants

AbstractSynthetic and natural attractants in traps are used in many parts of the world to attract female tabanids. Certain attractants in different geographic regions may be ineffective or effective under different environmental conditions for horseflies. One‐octen‐3‐ol, as a compound present in bovine emanations, has a behavioural effect on many horsefly species and together with other phenolic compounds makes very effective attractant for this group of insects. As the attractiveness of the mixture of three chemicals (1‐octen‐3‐ol, acetone and ammonia solution in the proportions 5 : 3 : 2), aged donkey urine, lactic acid and fresh human urine is not yet known, it was studied in Eastern Croatia. The combination of those three chemicals and efficiency of natural attractants offers promising results. Tabanus was the most represented genus with 83% of the total collected tabanids. The chi‐squared analyses of the trapping data for canopy traps revealed that each of the attractants (mixture of three chemicals, aged donkey urine, lactic acid and fresh human urine) significantly increased the number of collected horseflies in comparison to those collected in unbaited canopy traps. Some species differences in relative response to different attractants were noted. Significantly, more specimens of Haematopota pluvialis were collected from canopy traps baited with the mixture of three chemicals when compared with traps baited with other attractants. Canopy traps baited with aged donkey urine collected significantly more Atylotus loewianus females than did traps baited with the mixture. The F‐test analysis of the trapping data for the genus Tabanus showed that there is significant difference between average number of collected specimens between mixture of three chemicals and other used attractants (lactic acid and human urine) except aged donkey urine. Finally, traps baited with the mixture of three chemicals (1‐octen‐3‐ol, acetone and ammonia solution) collected 14.5 times more tabanids than unbaited traps, whereas aged donkey urine, lactic acid, and fresh human urine‐baited traps collected 12, 3.9 and 2.5 times as many tabanids, respectively, than did unbaited traps. The mixture of three chemicals (1‐octen‐3‐ol, acetone and ammonia solution) and aged donkey urine appear to be very effective attractants for tabanids.

Distribution of Tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) Along a Two-Sided Altitudinal Transect

The pattern of horse fly (Diptera: Tabanidae) distribution and correlations among biodiversity, abundance, abiotic factors, and altitude were determined along a two-sided altitudinal transect. The sampling was carried out on five 3-d periods during tabanid seasonal activity. Linen canopy traps with 1-octen-3-ol as an attractant were used at 20 sampling sites along the transect. The results showed that the qualitative composition of tabanid species can be distinguished by altitude and, especially, between southeastern and northwestern mountain slopes. The peaks of horse fly species richness and abundance were indicated at middle elevations of both slopes, where horse fly distributional groups were overlapping and most rare and infrequent species were sampled. All expected species were sampled according to species accumulation curve. The canonical correlation analysis separated species and sampling sites into three clusters; two were positively correlated with the temperature and the wind but differed in sensitivity toward them, and the third cluster was correlated with the humidity. The horse fly distribution was nonhomogenous, and the distributional patterns were only partially determined by altitude and vegetation. The determining environmental variables were different for each slope: temperature and wind for the southern slope (Mediterranean climatic zone) and humidity for the northern slope (continental climatic zone).

Anaphylactic reaction caused by a horse-fly species (Hippobosca equina)

The authors report on the case of a 46-year-old female patient who had an anaphylactic reaction of lucky outcome after a fly bite. She shortly developed a hard swelling of 15 cm diameter covered by scab, on the hairy scalp where hair meets the forehead, as well as an oedema on the forehead. Shortly afterwards came an erythema and pruritus on the face and body, and oedema on the hands, face and lips, later accompanied by shivers, nausea and vomit. The captured insect was identified by a taxonomic key to be a Hippobosca equina (horse-fly). To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in Hungary on anaphylactic reactions to Hippobosca equina bite. Hippobosca equina lives all over the world - also known in Hungary -, mostly in grazing lands, stables and cowsheds, sucking the blood of horses, asses and occasionally other animals. As a vector it may be a carrier and transmitter of pathogens. With this report we wish to call attention of family physicians and clinicians on the clinical symptoms of the bite of Hippobosca equina, since they have not the specific experience required to the diagnosis of such insect bite.

Horsefly Fauna of three different Forest communities in the Danube river Floodplain in Croatia (Diptera: Tabanidae)

This paper shows the horse fly fauna of three different forest communities in the Croatian part of Baranja which extends from the Drava and Danube rivers to the Hungarian border. 22 horse fly species, which make the majority of the species, were determined in Monjoros Forest in the belt of the white willow and black poplar (ass Salici-Populetum nigrae) and in the Tikves Forest in common oak wood and dyers green weed (ass Genisto elatae-Quercetum roboris). Only 16 species were determined in the Haljevo Forest in community of common oak and hornbeam (ass Carpino betuli-Quercetum roboris). Species from the genera Chrysops, Atylotus, Hybomitra, Tabanus and Haematopota were present in all three forest communities. The largest number of horse flies or 59% of them was collected in the forest community of white willow and black poplar (ass Salici-Populetum nigrae) in the Monjoros Forest along the west bank of the Danube River. The most commonly collected species in the Monjoros and Tikves forests was Tabanus bromius Linnaeus 1758, whereas Tabanus tergestinus Egger 1859 was the most abundant in the Haljevo Forest. The results of Sorenson index indicate a rather high degree of similarity between horse fly faunas of these three studied forest communities. Seasonal abundance was analyzed for eight most abundant species. Chrysops relictus Meigen 1820, Atylotus loewianus (Villeneuve 1920), Hybomitra ciureai (Seguy 1937), T bromius, Tabanus maculicornis Zetterstedt 1842, Tabanus sudeticus Zeller 1842, T tergestinus and Haematopota pluvialis (Linnaeus 1758) in forests communities of Haljevo and Tikves Forest reached their highest peak of abundance in early summer. The same happened in the Monjoros Forest, with the exception of A loewianus that reached its maximum during the mid summer. Not a single one Mediterranean species was found in these forest communities. All other species collected in this study were of sparse or low abundance. During this study, Atylotus fulvus (Meigen 1804) was recorded in Croatian part of Baranja for the first time.