Mud cylinders of Tabanidae (Diptera) from Texas

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1987
Authors:B. M. Drees
Journal:Annals of the Entomological Society of America
Volume:80
Pagination:51-54
Date Published:1987
Keywords:Larvae, Tabanidae, Tabanus atratus, Texas, USA
Abstract:

Final instars of 4 Afrotropical Tabanus species construct mud cylinders in which pupation occurs. This behaviour is believed to ensure adult survival where mud in which these species develop becomes dry and cracked during dry seasons. Evidence of construction of mud cylinders by T. atratus and possibly other species that construct similar mud cylinders is described from Texas. Differences between, and possible explanations for, the construction of Afrotropical and Texas mud cylinders are discussed.

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Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith