Fauna and ecology of horseflies (Diptera, Tabanidae) and bloodsucking mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) in Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area

Abstract

T.A. Khlyzova and O.A. Fiodorova*

The article summarizes the literature review, data, and materials of our research on the species composition of horseflies and bloodsucking mosquitoes of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area. The region's natural conditions favor the mass emergence of bloodsucking dipterans (except for the subzone of the Arctic tundra). Here, there are primary factors that determine the high abundance and species diversity of these insects are combined: the abundance of breeding biotopes (various reservoirs and marsh formations) and the habitat of adults, as well as the presence of a sufficient number of warm-blooded animals - a source of blood saturation. As a result of studies carried out in 2018 on the territory of the Tazovsky, Priuralsky, and Yamal districts of the area, the faunistic list of the Tabanidae family was replenished with one species and one subspecies (Hybomitra astur Erichson, 1851 and Hybomitra nitidifrons nitidifrons Szilady, 1914), the Culicidae family (Ae. nigrinus Eckstein, 1918) and Aedes behningi (Martini, 1926)). Twenty-six species currently represent the fauna of horseflies in the area, the fauna of bloodsucking mosquitoes - 29 species, of which nine species of horseflies and 19 species of mosquitoes are found in the tundra zone, 17 species of horseflies, and 21 species of mosquitoes in the forest tundra zone, 25 species in the northern taiga subzone horseflies and 17 species of mosquitoes. The general summer season for horseflies in the area lasts 20-50 days; bloodsucking mosquitoes are active for 75-100 days. The maximum number of horseflies was recorded in the northern taiga, mosquitoes - in the forest-tundra zone.

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