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Host-relations of the batfly Megistopoda aranea (Diptera: streblidae) in Panama
Overal, William
Overal, William
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Abstract
That a host organism and its obligate parasite constitute a unified system, linked by physiological, ecological, and behavioral compatibilities, requires that answers to problems of maintenance of the parasitic relationship be sought in the biology of both the host and parasite. The present study seeks to determine how the association between the batfly Megistopoda aranea (Coquillett, 1899) and its principal host, the Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat, Artibeus j. jamaicensis Leach, is maintained. Aspects of this association which were investigated concern the life history, orientation behavior, and occurrence of the batfly, the activities and habits of the host, and the coexistence of the host and parasite.
Megistopoda aranea was chosen for this study because of its relative abundance in Panama and because of the high degree or host specificity indicated by collections (Wenzel et al., 1966). Host bats can be kept in the laboratory (Novick, 1960), and their dietary and roosting habits are known (Goodwin and Greenhall, 1961). The fly is flightless and can be handled without damage. It is easily located on a host due to its size, light tan color, and long hind legs. M. aranea is distinctive and not easily confused with other streblids. Even congeneric species may be distinguished under low magnification. Sexing is easily accomplished with etherized flies. The availability of natural colonies of infested Artibeus jamaicensis which could be observed directly permitted the formulation of hypotheses which could be tested with laboratory colonies of the host and parasite.
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M.A. University of Kansas, Entomology 1974
Date
1974-05-31
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University of Kansas
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overal_1974_1811992.pdf
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Keywords
Batfly, Megistopoda aranea, Parasites, Artibeus j. jamaicensis