U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
Date of this Version
2008
Citation
Palynology, 32 (2008): 77–81
Abstract
Stable flies are an important pest of humans and livestock. Despite being blood feeders, they also visit flowers to eat nectar. Stable flies with pollen adhering to their exoskeletons were collected at the University of Florida Horse Teaching Unit and taken to the Paleobotany and Palynology Laboratory at the Florida Museum of Natural History for processing and identification. The pollen on all the specimens was identified as Carolina willow, Salix caroliniana Michaux 1803. This small shrub or tree is found throughout Florida in wetland areas. This study demonstrates the utility of pollen analysis in interdisciplinary studies.