Seasonal and Meteorological Effects on Activity of Chrysops Variegatus (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Paraguay

Activity of adult, female Chrysops variegatus was studied for 17 months near Aregua, Paraguay. The population was sampled by walking along a forest path while swinging an insect net. Results of sampling indicated that this species followed no seasonal pattern of activity. Fluctuation in activity appeared to follow a 13-week cycle. Meteorological effects on activity were studied during 2 weeks of peak tabanid abundance. Temperature, humidity, and wind accounted for 89% of the variation observed during the 23 weeks. Activity of this species observed on a particular day appeared to be the result of the overall population level and meteorological conditions at the time. Published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, v2 n2 p212-216, June 1986.