Efficiency of six different octenol‐baited traps for collecting horseflies (Diptera: Tabanidae)

Abstract

The efficiency and the potential species preference for six different horsefly trap types was studied. A total of 2401 horseflies were collected during this study. The most effective trap was the modified box trap with (27.9%), followed by the Nzi trap with (24.5%), Malaise trap (Townes design 1972) with (22.5)%, canopy trap with (17.9%), modified small canopy trap with (7.0%) and Malaise trap (Townes design 1962) with (0.2%). The Nzi and Malaise trap (Townes design 1972) did not differ significantly in the number of collected horseflies. The comparison of all other traps revealed significant differences in the number of collected horseflies. Tabanus bromius was the most abundant species with (58.6%) of the collected sample. The modified box trap was the most successful in collecting of T. bromius, while the Malaise trap (Townes design 1972) was the most successful in collecting the species Haematopota pluvialis, T. maculicornis and T. tergestinus. This study demonstrated that different trap designs influenced the quantity, species and taxonomic diversity of horseflies that were collected. Variables in the trap design included cloth type and colour and size and shape of trap. More detailed studies should be done to determine which factor or factors are most significant.

New materials for improving catches of horseflies (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Nzi traps

“…Top Notch was tested here for tabanids and once for tsetse; it was suitable for Glossina palpalis palpalis (Kaba et al ., 2014). Unfortunately, few researchers have studied similar alternatives (Onju et al ., 2020), making differences in catches among fabrics (Gonzaga & Garduque, 2015; Changbunjong et al ., 2018) or trap designs (Bučanović et al ., 2020) difficult to interpret. Use of non phthalogen blue cottons can result in low catches (Mihok et al ., 2006), but root causes are difficult to interpret.…”

“…Incorporation of Long‐Lasting Insecticide‐treated Nets (LLIN's) in traps (Sasaki, 2015) may also be useful in isolated settings (Eltahir et al ., 2020). Target‐based approaches may also open up new avenues for controlling clegs ( Haematopota Meigen) and deerflies ( Chrysops ), which are under‐represented in Nzi traps (Azza et al ., 2020; Bučanović et al ., 2020).…”