Date of Award:
5-1-1970
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Biology
Department name when degree awarded
Entomology
Committee Chair(s)
W. J. Hanson
Committee
W. J. Hanson
Committee
D. H. Hammond
Committee
J. B. Low
Abstract
The life history and host and site specificity of Cuterebra jellisoni Curran and Cuterebra ruficrus Austen were studied under laboratory conditions. Adult flies of each species were induced to mate. C. jellisoni eggs required seven to eight days for incubation, and C. ruficrus required nine to ten days. First instar larvae were successfully introduced into lagomorph hosts via all natural openings. Regardless of the introduction site, however, each species of larva was later found in a specific terminal site. C. jellisoni larvae completed development in jackrabbit hosts in 36 days and were found in subcutaneous cysts on the head. C. ruficrus larvae were found beneath the skin on the back and rump and required 74 days to develop. Adult C. jellisoni emerged from puparia in 125 days; C. ruficrus emerged in 140 days. Black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) were the preferred hosts of both parasite species. Other hosts successfully infested included mountain cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus nuttalli), pigmy rabbits (Sylvilagus idahoensis), and domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Attempts to infest white-footed deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and laboratory mice (Mus musculus) were unsuccessful. A study of the larval stages of each parasite species was made, and descriptions are included with illustrations.
Recommended Citation
Baird, Craig R., "Laboratory Studies of Two Species of Jackrabbit Bot Flies" (1970). Biology. 370.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd_biology/370
Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .