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Autogeny as successful reproductive strategy in high altitude black-flies (Diptera, Simuliidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2009

J. E. Raastad
Affiliation:
University of Oslo, Zoological Museum, Sarsgt. 1, N-0562 Oslo 5, Norway
J. O. Solem
Affiliation:
University of Trondheim, The Museum, N-7004 Trondheim, Norway
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Abstract

The black-fly fauna of Drovrefjell National Park, Central Norway, was investigated at elevations between 870 m and 1 630 m and covered the sub-alpine, low- and middle-alpine vegetation zones. We found 13 black-fly species and a dominance of three non-bloodsucking species, Prosimulium ursinum, Cnephia tredecimata and Eusimulium crassum, in this area. E. crassum dominated the bog stream habitat, while C. tredecimata and P. ursinum dominated the outlet habitat. The parthenogenesis of P. ursinum is an advantage over a sexual reproduction in the extreme habitat of glacier fed outlets. While mammalophilic species were absent or scarce, we found a high proportion of bird-feeding Eusimulium spp. E. corniferum and E. carpathicum have not been previously recorded from Norway.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Masson, 1989

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