Morphology of the mouthparts of Pangonius pyritosus Lw. (Diptera, Tabanidae)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1978
Authors:O. S. Suvorova
Journal:Nauchnye Doklady Vysshei Shkoly, Biologicheskie Nauki
Volume:5
Pagination:47-52
Date Published:1978
Keywords:Europe, Morhpology, Mouthparts, Pangonius pyritosus, Tabanidae, USSR
Abstract:

The mouthparts of the female of Pangonius pyritosus Lw. are described in detail, and their structure is compared with that in other genera of Tabanidae. The extraordinary extension of all the mouthparts is associated with the habit of feeding on the nectar of flowers with a deep corolla. A reduction was noted in a number of the adaptations for piercing and blood-sucking, and it is inferred that the female of P. pyritosus does not suck blood.

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