Biology of Tabanidae (Diptera): mating and feeding behavior of Chrysops fuliginosus

Mating and feeding behaviour of Chrysops fuliginosus Wied. was studied over 5 seasons on a salt marsh in Delaware. Mating behaviour was governed by air temperature. In the early morning, males were active before females and began pursuit flights from their resting places, where they were waiting in a head-up position, at 18-19 deg C. Initiation of mating occurred at 19-20 deg C. The time of termination of mating was related to the rate of warming of the environment; rapid warming gave a shorter duration of mating. Hunting and biting by females began at 24-25 deg C.