Biology of male tabanids (Diptera) aggregated on a mountain summit in southwestern Quebec

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1983
Authors:D. J. Leprince, Lewis, D. J., Parent, J.
Journal:Journal of Medical Entomology
Volume:20
Pagination:608-613
Date Published:1983
Keywords:Behaviour, Canada, Chrysops callidus, Chrysops cincticornis, Chrysops indus, Chrysops mitis, Chrysops niger, Hybomitra affinis, Hybomitra lasiophthalma, Hybomitra lurida, Hybomitra microcephala, Hybomitra nitidifrons, Hybomitra sodalis, Males, Pollen, Quebec, Sugar Feeding, Tabanidae, Tabanus catenatus, Tabanus reinwardtii
Abstract:

Males of 17 species of Chrysops, Hybomitra and Tabanus (some of them economic) were collected on the summit of Mount Rigaud in south-western Quebec, Canada. Male flight activity lasted from late May to late August, and the greatest species diversity occurred in mid-June. Males of each species were more abundant than females and usually had a longer seasonal distribution. Observed premating behaviour comprised hovering in the air and waiting on plants. Nectar was found (by cold anthrone tests) in 73% of the males, including 43% of waiting and 84% of hovering males. The commonest pollen grains observed on males of H. sodalis (Will.) came from nectar-bearing plants with large inflorescences. Sunlight stimulated male activity when the temperature was suitable for flight.

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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