First data on horseflies (Tabanidae) feeding on red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Hungary

Farkas, Sándor and Berta, Bálint (2024) First data on horseflies (Tabanidae) feeding on red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Hungary. NATURA SOMOGYIENSIS (44). pp. 67-72. ISSN 1587-1908 (nyomtatott); 2062-9990 (online)

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Abstract

The relationship between red deer and horseflies has not been studied in Hungary yet. The authors present data on the subject for the first time, which concerns the processing of horsefly material collected on a red deer farm. The studies were conducted in the summer of 2024, over three months (June 1-August 31), in Mike (Somogy county, Hungary). Five red deer (Cervus elaphus) were kept on the red deer farm, outdoors, in an area of 15 hectares. H-traps were installed next to the red deer enclosure, operated once a week. During the study, 283 horsefly specimens were collected and identified, and 13 species were explored. The most abundant species were Haematopota italica, H. pluvialis and Tabanus bromius. The rarest species was Silvius alpinus, with only one specimen caught in the traps. There was no difference between the number of specimens collected in the mornings and afternoons. The low number of species and individuals was probably due to climatic reasons and the habitat was not conducive to the reproduction of the horseflies.

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