Abstract
Mediterranean pastoral areas are favourable to the diversity and abundance of Tabanidae. On the other hand, their role as mechanical vectors was highlighted by the re-emergence of animal diseases in Europe (e.g. Bovine Besnoitiosis). However, the biological richness and vulnerability of pastoral communities involve reducing the use of insecticides against ectoparasites. The objectives of this thesis were to better understand the activity of horse flies in summer pastures and to consider practical, efficient and selective pest control methods. A “push-pull” strategy using attractive traps and/or repellents implies a good knowledge of insect olfaction. Therefore, it was interesting to study the olfactory sensitivity of horse flies and semiochemicals that affect vector-host interactions. In the Pyrenean mountains, work on the ecology of horseflies showed that their spatiotemporal distribution was influenced by exposure, altitude and landscape structure, and that the biting activity of females was related to climatic conditions. Moreover, the opportunistic feeding pattern of tabanids was confirmed with a preference for red deer. The physiological and behavioural responses of Tabanus bromius and Atylotus quadrifarius to urines volatiles and their constituents revealed differences between the olfactory sensitivity of these two species. The high attractiveness of aged horse urine is likely to be due to the mixture of various active compoundsthat may act synergistically. To conclude, pest control methods to protect cattle against horse flies in summer pastures and new research opportunities are discussed.