Aggregation Behavior of Aplomyiopsis xylota (Diptera: Tachinidae)

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of the New York Entomological Society

Volume

89

Publication Date

9-1-1981

First Page

197

Last Page

201

Abstract

The tachinid A. xylota is a common parasitoid of larvae of Trirhabda virgata and T. borealis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in central New York [USA]. Flies aggregated on herbaceous vegetation along the borders between old fields and more shaded habitats (shrubby fields or woodlots). Aggregations comprised from less than 100 to a few thousand individuals, almost all of which were male. Males continuously perched and moved about in sun flecks on the vegetation and frequently grappled with each other. In the old field adjacent to the primary aggregation site, the tachinid sex ratio was strongly skewed toward females. Aggregations of A. xylota are probably involved in mating.

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