Research into the relative importance of Tabanidae (Diptera) in mechanical disease transmission

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Abstract
The behaviour and feeding habits of T. biguttatus, T. fraternus, T. taeniola. T. gratus and H. decora were studied in the vicinity of a resting cattle herd. The observations could be substantiated by experiments with flies on restrained animals and an examination of 11 189 Tabanidae in regard to presence and size of fresh blood meals. By relating these findings to the principles of mechanical transmission, the small Tabanidae T. gratus and H. decora did not show the expected behaviour of potential vectors. Of the large species, T. biguttatus and T. fraternus did not qualify on the basis of their feeding habits. It was concluded that T. taeniola fulfilled, in regard to behaviour and feeding habits, all requirements for mechanical disease transmission under natural conditions.

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