Cedar Creek
Natural History Area
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Insects of Cedar Creek
Order DIPTERA
Family PYRGOTIDAE
(Light Flies)
The Pyrgotids (8 NA spp) are large orange-colored flies. North American
species have brown patterning on the wings and lack ocelli. Larvae are
internal parasites of adult Scarab beetles. Only a single larva develops
in each beetle--killing the beetle within two weeks. The female fly is
reported to insert eggs into the abdomen of the beetle while both are in
flight, generally at night. Adults are said to come to light. Pyrgotella
chagnoni has been collected near here (Bev's). Other Minnesota
species in this small family are Sphecomyiella valida and Pyrgota
undata.
I thank Kim Sam-kyu, Yonsei Univ, Korea for pointing out errors in
an earlier version of this Family Narrative.
Steyskal, GC (1978). Synopsis of the North American Pyrgotidae
(Diptera). Proc. Ent.Soc.Wash. 80:149-155