A study of the anatomy and histology of the digestive tract of tabanus atratus Fabricus

Abstract

In spite of the importance of many species of Tabanidae as parasites of horses and cattle, as pests of man and as possible agents in the transmission of certain diseases, very little has been published dealing with their internal anatomy. This lack of literature is especially noticeable concerning American species. The most valuable work on the subject to date is that of Patton and Craig (Text book of Medical Entomology), which concerns species native to India. The present paper is a result of a study of the anatomy and histology of the digestive tract of Tabanus atratus Fabricius and is submitted as a part of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science.