BIOLOGY OF ILYTHEA CANICEPS, I. SPILOTA, AND ZEROS FLA VIPES (DIPTERA: EPHYDRIDAE), CASE-MAKING CONSUMERS OF DIATOMS ON SHORELINES

摘要

Life history information is presented for Ilythea caniceps Cresson, I. spilota (Curtis), and Zeros flavipes (Williston) (Diptera: Ephydridae). Adults of all three species were commonly encountered along shorelines of small streams that possessed moistto wet substrates, where adults deposited eggs. The incubation period lasted two to three days. Larvae consumed a mix of pinnate diatoms. Newly hatched larvae formed a protective case by affixing a mix of sand grains and detrital particles to their dorsal surfaces. The larval period lasted 8-10 days. Puparia were formed in the same habitat occupied by the larvae. The dorsal cases formed by the larvae remained in place on the upper surface of the puparia. The pupal period lasted 6-10 days. All three species were multivoltine.