STUDIES ON CUTEREBRA EMASCULATOR FITCH 1856 (DIPTERA: CUTEREBRIDAE) AND A DISCUSSION OF THE STATUS OF THE GENUS CEPHENEMYIA LTR. 1818

Abstract

Cuterebra emasculator Fitch, a subcutaneous warble of the eastern striped chipmunk, Tamias striatus Richardson, was found in 141 of 465 chipmunks examined in Algonquin Park, Ontario. The various stages of the insect are described. The life history was studied and it was found that the larval development required 19 days. Adults emerged from the puparia in 219 (134–315) days and were short-lived. The larvae had little adverse effect on the chipmunk until after their escape from the host, when the sites frequently became secondarily infected. No case of emasculation was noted. Cuterebra emasculator was found to be specific for the chipmunk, Tamias striatus. The genus Cephenemyia Ltr. was compared with the genus Cuterebra Clk. The former was removed from the family Cuterebridae and placed in the Oestridae.