Abstract:

Sampling data for Tabanus nigrovittatus (greenhead horse fly) populations through summer and fall 2010 and 2011 at four locations (Grand Bayou, Grand Isle, Cypremort Point and Cameron).

Suggested Citation:

Foil, Lane. 2015. Adult tabanid population data and available voucher specimens, Louisiana Tidal Marsh, 2010-2011.. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N75718ZM

Publications:

Husseneder, C., Donaldson, J. R., & Foil, L. D. (2016). Impact of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill on population size and genetic structure of horse flies in Louisiana marshes. Scientific Reports, 6, 18968. doi:10.1038/srep18968

Husseneder, C., Park, J.-S., & Foil, L. D. (2018). Recovery of horse fly populations in Louisiana marshes following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Scientific Reports, 8(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-018-31442-1

Purpose:

The project was designed to collect data on a tabanid species that will contribute to the evaluation of the short and long-term impact of the spill on tidal marsh health. The objectives were aimed at generating information that would provide a platform for studies to establish tabanids as model entomological bioindicators of tidal marsh community health for coastal ecological studies and evaluation of future insults to the tidal marshes.

Data Parameters and Units:

Date (MM/DD/YYYY) Location: (parish name of a sampling location) {Site} (place name of a site within a sampling location) [ 1. Cameron Parish: {1Wiki House, 2Henry End, 3Henry Mid, Cameron 3, 4M. River, Oakgrove, Rock Price, Rock Roll, Ship Channel, Rutherford, 51} 2. St. Mary Parish: {Cyp1 State Park, Cyp2 Marina, Cypremort Point 1 Park, Cypremort Point 2 Canal, Cypremort Point 3 Point, Cypremort Point 4 Road} 3. Plaquemines Parish: {Grand Bayou 1-4 a-b, Point La Hache 1-4, Myrtle Grove, Lake Hermitage, Grand Bayou Village, Chriss, Port Sulfur} 4. Jefferson Parish: {Elmer's Island (1-5, B-D, Central, West, Gate, Old Camp), Grand Isle State Park East, Grand Isle (West, Cherry Ln)} 5. St. Bernard Parish: {Reggio, Krebb's, Delacroix, Draw Bridge, Hopedale (1-3, Boat Launch)} ] GPS Latitude (decimal degrees) GPS Longitude (decimal degrees) Beginning time 12 hour clock (hh:mm) Ending time 12 hour clock (hh:mm) Trap time (fractional hours) Flies per hour (fractional count) Flies per hour (nigrovittatus) (fractional count) Flies collected/yes?no? (yes, no) Number Tabanus hinellus (count) Bottle Number (number) Tabanus nigrovittatus (count) Bottle Number (number) Total Number flies (count) Date Counted (MM/DD/YYYY) Counted by (first name of person who counted) Flies per hour per site (avg of avgs) Flies per hour per site (avg of avgs) Tabanus nigrovittatus Flies per hour per site (avg of totals) Flies per hour per site (avg of totals) Tabanus nigrovittatus Flies per hour per site (best 3) (avg of avgs) Flies per hour per site (best 3) (avg of avgs) Tabanus nigrovittatus Flies per hour per site (best 3) (avg of totals) Flies per hour per site (best 3) (avg of totals) Tabanus nigrovittatus DEFINITION OF UNITS (avg of avgs)= the average number of flies trapped per hour at each site at that location. (best 3) (avg of avgs)= If more than three samples sites at a location and date, then the sum of the highest 3 average numbers of flies trapped divided by 3. (avg of totals)= The total number of flies counted at each location and date divided by the total number of hours that traps were deployed at that location and date. (best 3) (avg of totals)= If more than three samples sites at a location and date, then the sum of the highest 3 total numbers of flies trapped divided by 3.

Methods:

For adults, T. nigrovittatus populations were sampled through summer and fall 2010 and 2011 at the four locations (Grand Bayou, Grand Isle, Cypremort Point and Cameron) that were surveyed in 2010. In 2011, we continued adult tabanid surveys from July through November using canopy traps baited with dry ice. There were four trap sites at each location that were used in 2010. The trapping period was at least 2 hr (exact time recorded) at each site at each location. The captured flies were transferred on dry ice and stored at -80 C. Flies were counted on a cold plate and then maintained at -80 C to preserve their DNA for future microsatellite genotyping. Tabanid larvae were extracted from five to seven marsh substrate samples collected between 25 August and 28 September 2011 at each of the following locations: Cameron, Cypremort Point, Grand Isle, and Grand Bayou. Marsh samples were collected by excavating 5 m long 0.5 m wide 10 cm deep transects. Tabanid larvae were removed from the sediment samples using a brine-flotation system, and the collected larvae were then stored in 90% ethanol.

Individual Files: