Field Behavior of Adult Cephenemyia (Diptera: Oestridae),

Abstract

AbstractAggregating habits and seasonal occurrence of two species of deer nasal bot flies (Cephenemyia apicata and C. jellisoni) were studied through two seasons in California. Males aggregated at upper hillside and summit stands of Castanopsis sp. and Quercus sp. rising 2-10 feet above the top of surrounding scrub vegetation. Activity began at 20 °C. air temperature and ended soon after mid-day.Intraspecific and intrageneric chasing by male flies is described and the spacing of flies at different sites is discussed. C. jellisoni males appeared to dominate males of C. apicata at these sites or, when both were present, their activities were stratified. Marked males tended to remain at a specific site throughout the day's activity.In one observed mating, the flying pair united above the aggregation site and dropped in tandem to the vegetation below. A comparative description of the internal reproductive system of female C. apicata is given.