Observations on breeding sites and seasonal dynamics of Tabanus rufofrater in Marathwada region

摘要

Observations on breeding sites and seasonal dynamics of Tabanus rufofrater in Parbhani region of Maharashtra state were undertaken.The species collected from this region were identified as Tabanus rufofrater on the basis of molecular diagnosis and DNAbar-coding. Preferred breeding sites for laying the eggs were observed as: leaves of bushes or any vegetation either submerged in stagnant water or in slow moving water, leaves of bushes hanging over the water body, the site wherein much organic matter(blackish mud) was present and drainage outlets from cattle shed where organic matter was stagnant. Breeding places earmarked in the present study can be considered useful in control programmes as an integral part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) of these flies. Seasonal variation observations revealed the peak population of flies during monsoon season ( 3.5 per animal), followed by winter ( 1.3 per animal) and lowest during summer( 0.1 per animal). The Tabanid flies were found to attack during bright sunshine hours on crossbred HF-cattle having black dark patches on the body and buffaloes.