Date of Award
4-1976
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
Supervisor
Professor D.M. Davies
Abstract
Reproductive potential and its seasonal fulfillment was studied in several mammalophilic and ornithophilic black-flies near Hamilton and in Algonquin Park, Ontario. In all species examined there was variation in adult female size. A relationship was established between both potential and actual fecundity, and fly size.
In autogenous species there was variation in the stage of ovarian development at emergence, but the stage was consistently more advanced than that in newly emerged anautogenous species. In anautogenous species, some ovarian development occurred after emergence until a resting stage, considered to be stage IIa.
Changes in the proportion of parous flies in one mammalophilic and three ornithophilic species was monitored for two seasons and other conditions such as mating, stage of ovarian development, and relict eggs were recorded.
Studies of vertical distribution of Simulium venustum females in an open spruce canopy demonstrated fly movements from the canopy to ground level during the day until late afternoon and subsequent movements back up to the canopy in the evening.
Recommended Citation
Pascuzzo, Michael Charles, "Fecundity, Ovarian Development, and Physiological Age in Adult Black-flies (Simuliidae) with some Observations on Vertical Distribution" (1976). Open Access Dissertations and Theses. Paper 457.
http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/opendissertations/457