Bloodmeal Residues on Mouthparts of Tabanus fuscicostatus (Diptera: Tabanidae) and the Potential for Mechanical Transmission of Pathogens

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Abstract
Bloodmeal residues on the mouthparts of Tabanus fuscicostatus Hine, which were interrupted in feeding on a pony, were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for equine IgG. The residues were estimated to be ca. 10 nl when the mouthparts were harvested and assayed immediately after feeding. This estimate is consistent with reported transmission of equine infectious anemia virus by one T. fuscicostatus from a donor with ca. 106 infective doses per ml of serum. The usefulness of this kind of study in evaluating the potential for hematophagous Diptera for mechanical transmission of pathogens is discussed.