Relationship of Horse Fly Host Seeking Activity to the Edge of Wooded Areas in Southern Louisiana

Abstract

Host seeking activity by female tabanids was measured in wooded areas, and in open areas and pastures near woods by trapping blood meal seeking tabanid females, collections from a bait animal, and observation of fluorescent marked flies. Studies were conducted in 3 areas of South Louisiana during the summers of 1973–74. Tabanid host seeking activity was significantly higher in open areas within 130 m of woods than 15–18 m or more into the woods or 237 m or greater from the woods' edge in the open.