Phaeotabanus fervens (Linnaeus), 1758 is a
neotropical tabanid species distributed from Venezuela to
Argentina (GB Fairchild 1971 Ed Mus Zool Univ S o Paulo
28: 28-56). This horsefly is one of the few species reported
biting exclusively on caimans (Caiman sclerops,
Melanosuchus niger, Paleosuchus palpebrosus and Paleosuchus
trigonatus) only on their head (F Medem 1981 Cespedesia 10:
123-191). Probably due to its host specificity very few data
about this species are available. Caiman feeders such as
Lepiselaga crassipes (F.), Phaeotabanus cajennensis (F.) and
Phaeotabanus fervens (Medem loc. cit.) occur in the Pantanal
region and unidentified general photographic records are
available (H Palo Jr 1992 Pantanal Ed Cor/Ac o 123 pp.).
