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

New materials in 85 configurations were tested relative to standard fabric Nzi traps to improve catches of tabanids based on artificial visual cues that mimic those used in nature for locating hosts or water. Colour‐fast synthetic fabrics and photo‐selective horticultural mesh were tested to facilitate insecticide impregnation and for improved durability. Many plastics were explored to document how flies react to polarized and visible vs. ultraviolet light. Lastly, sticky horizontal, linearly polarizing ground‐level shiny plastic targets were tested for capturing water‐seeking tabanids relative to traps and vertical fabric targets. Based on the capture of 281 786 female Tabanidae (Tabanus Linnaeus, Hybomitra Enderlein, Chrysops Meigen), four alternative formats provided higher catches and/or durability. They were substituting: (1) phthalogen turquoise for phthalogen blue, (2) solution‐dyed fabrics for blue and black cotton, (3) clear/white horticultural mesh for mosquito netting, and (4) clear, reflective plastic for some or all netting. A Sunbrella/BioNet fabric trap (portable) and a blue‐black Plexiglas®/netting trap (fixed applications) consistently performed best (1.5–3 × higher catches). Ground‐level targets captured many male and gravid female Hybomitra but were ineffective for Tabanus. Traps and vertical fabric or transparent sticky targets captured mainly unfed females. Eighty‐five Nzi trap configurations of alternative materials were tested for tabanids in Canada; several new formats resulted in 1.5–3.0 times higher catches, in particular, phthalogen turquoise substituted for phthalogen blue. Inclusion of transparent materials reflecting polarized light also improved catches, with a blue‐black Plexiglas® trap providing a durable format for fixed applications. Solution‐dyed acrylic and polyester fabrics combined with clear/white horticultural netting provide a durable format for portable traps in challenging environments.