Apocephalus Parasitoids of Fireflies

 

The Apocephalus subgenus Mesophora species that attack fireflies are easily studied. The flies attack both diurnal (active during the day) and nocturnal (active at night) fireflies throughout the New World. We collect the beetles into individual vials with damp (not wet) cotton and wait for 2-3 days. Parasitized beetles die quickly, and their larvae and pupae soon are seen in the cotton. A couple of weeks later, adult flies emerge. In some places, parasitism rates approach 80% (Brown 1994; Lewis & Monchamp 1994).

 

One of the interesting results reported by Lewis & Monchamp was that parasitism rates increased through the summer. We urge interested biologists or naturalists to take advantage of this easily-studied system and to make more observations on parasitism rates during different times of the year. Such further studies will add important details to the small amount we know about Mesophora parasitoids and their effects on their host populations.

 

Brown, B.V. 1994. Life history parameters and new host records of phorid parasites of fireflies. Coleopterists Bulletin. 48: 145-147.

Lewis, S.M. & Monchamp, J.D. 1994. Sexual and temporal differences in phorid parasitism of Photinus marginellus fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 87: 572-575.