Diurnal flying activity and nutrition ecology of hydrotaea armipes fall. (Diptera, Muscidae)

The activity of the fly Hydrotaea armipes Fall. alighting on the lachrymous eyes of calves was observed. The flies were active throughout the day at the temperature higher than 12 degrees C, their activity inside the stable being about directly proportional to their activity in the paddocks. The numbers of active females indoors reached 0.08-17.3% of the number of active females in the paddocks. The flight range of females from paddocks or buildings for the housing of calves was no more than 10-20 m. The authors presume that the alighting H. armipes females orientate themselves to a greater distance (more than 5 m) visually, while in the approaching phase of their flight chemotactic orientation predominates in them.