Tabanus sackeni
Fairchild, 1934
Tabanus sackeni is a of horse fly in the Tabanidae, described by Fairchild in 1934. Males and females exhibit distinct activity patterns: males are primarily collected at UV-light traps just before sunrise, while females show -seeking peaks and are caught in in the evening. Females frequently have large crop volumes after blood-feeding, and many dipping females are gravid. The species occurs in Canada and the United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tabanus sackeni: /təˈbeɪnəs ˈsækənɪ/
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Distribution
Canada, United States. Vermont specifically recorded.
Seasonality
Males collected at UV-light traps just before sunrise; females show (evening) peak of -seeking activity.
Diet
Females take blood meals; both sexes engage in sugar feeding. A link between water uptake and sugar feeding has been observed.
Behavior
Males aggregate at UV-light traps in early morning, suggesting mating occurs just before sunrise. Females exhibit -seeking activity with a distinct peak. Gravid females are frequently observed dipping at pools of water on roads, suggesting oviposition near water.
Human Relevance
Females are blood-feeders and may act as biting pests.