Horsefly Polarotaxis

In this chapter, we deal with the following aspects of the polarotaxis in horseflies (Tabanidae): Seasonality and weather-dependent flight activity of polarotactic male and female horseflies monitored by polarization and canopy traps. Why do horseflies need polarization sensitivity for host detection? Striped bodypaintings protect against horseflies. Horsefly reactions to black tilted polarizing surfaces. Water collection by flying polarotactic horseflies. Horseflies attracted to vertical grey and black-grey striped surfaces—stripes repel tabanids independently of their width and darkness. Critique of some erroneous measurements and interpretations of reflection polarization of striped patterns with implications for polarotactic reactions of horseflies to zebra stripes.