Blaesoxipha filipjevi Rohd. (Diptera, Sarcophagidae) parasitising Zonogerus variegatus (L.) (Orthoptera, Acridoidea) in Nigeria

Abstract

Adults of Zonocerus variegatus (L.) collected in southern Nigeria in January to May 1963 were found to be parasitised by larvae of Blaesoxipha filipjevi Rohd. Of 1,691 adults of Z. variegatus dissected, 43 contained from one to six larvae of B. filipjevi, but none was found in 167 nymphs dissected mostly in January and February. No parasites were found in 155 examples of 11 other locally occurring species of Orthoptera. Full-grown larva left their hosts through the cervical membrane; they pupated within 48 hours, probably in the soil in natural conditions, and the adult Sarcophagid emerged 9–10 days later. No larva was observed to undergo diapause. The presence of the parasite restricted the ovarian development of the female host, but the species is considered to be of negligible importance in the control of Z. variegatus because of its low incidence.