Seasonal abundance of horse flies ( Diptera, Tabanidae ) in the Chirpan eminences, Bulgaria

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore the seasonal activity of tabanids on the territory of the Chirpan Eminences, in Stara Zagora region, Bulgaria. The study was carried out during the flight period (May - September, 2010 - 2011). A total of 1034 specimens of tabanids from 23 species and 8 genera were collected and identified. The horse flies began flying during the second half of May and its flight period lasted until mid - September. The peak of seasonal abundance was observed during the first half of July. The most abundant species in the horse flies assemblages on the Chirpan Eminences were Tabanus quatuоrnotatus (35.30%), Tabanus tergestinus (28.05%) and Philipomyia graeca (10.93%). The largest number of specimens of T. tergestinus was collected during the peak of seasonal abundance of horse flies on the territory of the Chirpan Eminences.

Keywords

• seasonal activity
• tabanids
• dominant species
• chirpan eminences
• bulgaria.