Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Date of Award

5-1979

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Pauline James

Second Advisor

James Mackley

Third Advisor

Sammie L. Sides

Abstract

Flowering vegetation was investigated to determine its potential as an aggregation site for the mating of screwworm flies, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel). Fly activity was observed at vegetation on a typical south Texas shrub community. Noted were the species of vegetation present and the phenology of their flowering. Screwworm flies were found to be attracted to specific species of brush; however, in the absence of the most attractive species, the flies responded to secondary species. Both feeding and mating behavior were observed on vegetation.

Olfaction and visual mechanisms of aggregation were investigated. Results from an olfactometer showed the attractancy of some species to be greater than that of others; however, the specific results did not parallel those of field observations. Ultraviolet photography failed to reveal any obvious characteristics in UV reflectance common to flowers to which screwworm flies were known to respond.

Comments

Copyright 1979 Geral L. Long. All Rights Reserved.

Granting Institution

Pan American University

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