• 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (3) , 367-373
Abstract
A blood/membrane apparatus was used to study the feeding responses of field-collected and lab-reared Simulium vittatum and Prosimulium mixtum. Both species showed preferences for human, horse, cow and pig bloods while neither fed in high rates on dog or goose bloods. Results are discussed in the context of field data on host preferences. Size was related to the feeding rates in S. vittatum, larger flies feeding more readily. Lab-reared S. vittatum females fed in decreasing rates over 1-8 days after emrgence. This is probably related to the autogenous maturation of the ovaries in this species.