Tabanidae (Diptera: Insecta) attacking Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus) (Mammalia: Tapiridae) in Central Amazon, Brazil

Tabanidae (Diptera) is a cosmopolitan family of flies with a wide distribution in South America. Female flies feed on various hosts, including domestic animals, wildlife, and humans, based on host specificity. This study used a tapir, Tapirus terrestris, to assess the activity patterns of female Tabanidae, their feeding preferences on the host's body, and the host's defensive behaviors. From April 1997 to March 1998, monthly observations recorded 243 individuals from 20 species. Stenotabanus bequaerti, Tabanus occidentalis, Phaeotabanus cajennensis, and Chlorotabanus inanis were the most abundant. Activity peaks varied by species and time of day, with most attacks targeting the tapir's hip, flank, back, and snout. The tapir responded to multiple attacks by contracting its skin and seeking refuge in water. This study highlights the pioneering discovery of the tapir, the largest wild terrestrial mammal in South America, as a host for blood-feeding Tabanidae species in the Amazon region.