Eur. J. Entomol. 98 (1): 117-119, 2001 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2001.019

Diurnal patterns of postfeeding larval dispersal in carrion blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Petr KOČÁREK*
Department of Ecology, Palacký University, CZ-771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic; e-mail: kocarek@email.cz

A study of the diurnal rhythms in the postfeeding dispersal of the larvae of two coexisting carrion blowfly species, Calliphora vomitoria and Lucilia caesar, from corpses was conducted in the field. Larvae of both species dispersed exclusively at night. The emigration of white coloured larvae is risky. By dispersing at night the larvae minimise interactions with diurnal and crepuscular predators.

Keywords: Diurnal activity, circadian rhythms, postfeeding dispersal, larvae, carrion, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia caesar, Diptera

Received: January 20, 2000; Revised: March 30, 2000; Accepted: July 10, 2000; Published: March 15, 2001  Show citation

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KOČÁREK, P. (2001). Diurnal patterns of postfeeding larval dispersal in carrion blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae). EJE, 98(1), 117-119. doi: 10.14411/eje.2001.019
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