Life history and seasonal abundance of Fannia benjamini complex (Diptera: Muscidae) in southern California.
Seasonal abundance and life history of Fannia benjamini complex (Diptera: Muscidae) was studied in the coastal mountain community ofLa Habra Heights in Los Angeles County, California, with additional observations in drier, inland mountains in the Woodcrest area, Riverside County. The dominant species (>95% of fly collections) was Fannia conspicua Malloch, whereas Fannia benjamini Malloch also was present. Both species could be collected nearly year-round by netting adults (almost exclusively females) attracted to people, although F. benjamini was relatively more common in cooler weather (November-April). In La Habra Heights, adult activity peaked in June and July (both species), whereas peak activity in Woodcrest was late April through June for F. conspicua and February through April for F. benjamini. Field-collected adult females provided only water died within 2-4 d, whereas females provided with water plus a dry milk and sugar mixture survived up to 128-130 d in the laboratory. Males of F. conspicua (1-40 individuals) swarmed at heights of 0.5-4.0 m near Aptenia cordifolia (L.f.) Schwantes, an exotic, succulent, low-growing ground cover plant. Eggs of F. conspicua were deposited singly on older, decaying leaves of this plant, and adult F. conspicua emerged from Aptenia-covered areas in the field. In the laboratory, larvae of F. conspicua grazed on microbial surface films associated with Aptenia. Emergence of F. conspicua from field-collected soil-Aptenia mixtures (held in the laboratory) occurred from 1.5 to 5 mo after collection. Widespread Aptenia planting since the 1980s has probably resulted in F. conspicua becoming a severe human nuisance in some areas.
Mullens
Bradley A
BA
Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
Gerry
Alec C
AC
D035722:Aizoaceae; D000818:Animals; D002140:California; D005260:Female; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009117:Muscidae / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology; D011156:Population Density; D012621:Seasons; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors