Cardiocladius (Diptera: Chironomidae) Larvae Ectoparasitic on Pupae of Hydropsychidae (Tricoptera)
Parker CR and Voshell JR. 1979. Cardiocladius (Diptera: Chironomidae) Larvae Ectoparasitic on Pupae of Hydropsychidae (Tricoptera). Environmental Entomology. 8(5):808-908
ABSTRACT: Larvae of Cardiocladius sp. were found to feed on pupae of several species of Hydropsyche and Cheumatopsyche. The chironomide larvae enter the pupal cases after closure and feed on the immobile caddisflies, often consuming the host. In one collection, over 61% of all hydropsychid pupal cases contained Cardiocladius sp. larvae. This represents a very significant source of mortality for the caddisfly population.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Parker, Charles; Voshell, J
- Date of Issue
- 1988
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Chironomidae, ctoparasites, Diptera, Hydropsychidae, Insecta, Larvae, pupae, Trichoptera