Laboratory studies on blood-feeding of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) . 1. Factors affecting the feeding rate
Mokry, J.E.
Tropenmedizin und Parasitologie 31(3): 367-373
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0303-4208 PMID: 7445070 Document Number: 158314
A membrane feeding apparatus was used to study the feeding responses of field-collected and laboratory-reared Simulium vittatum Zett. and Prosimulium mixtum Syme & Davis in Canada. Both species showed a preference for human, horse, cow and pig blood while neither fed to a great extent on dog or goose blood. The results are discussed in relation to field data on host preferences. Size was shown to be related to feeding rate in S. vittatum, the larger flies feeding more readily. The feeding rate of laboratory-reared S. vittatum females decreased during the first 8 days after emergence, and this was believed to be related to the autogenous maturation of the ovaries in this species.