Potential of a miltogrammine sarcophagid in biological control of tabanids

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1979
Authors:P. H. Thompson, Love C. L.
Journal:Southwestern Entomologist
Volume:4
Pagination:298-303
Date Published:1979
Keywords:Biocontrol, Hybomitra lasiophthalma, Marcronychia, Parasites, Sarcophagidae, Tabanidae, Texas, USA
Abstract:

During 1976-78, a species of Macronychia near M. aurata (Coq.) parasitised adult tabanids on a river floodplain in south-central Texas. Of 871 females of Hybomitra lasiophthalma (Macq.) trapped from 1 April to 9 May, 4.6% were infested with 1-7 sarcophagid larvae per host; over 80% of the parasites were found free among the flight muscles of the thorax. The parasite completed its development on dead tabanid adults mixed with damp sand, mated after emergence, and probably lived for 1 week or more. The data indicated that the prospects for colonising and using this parasite as a biocontrol agent for tabanids are very encouraging.

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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