LOMAMYIA LATIPENNIS (NEUROPTERA: BEROTHIDAE) LIFE HISTORY AND LARVAL DESCRIPTIONS

Abstract

This study includes the first published record of a berothid life history and the first description of a second instar larva. The incubation period was 7 days ( N= 21), and the median durations of the first and third stages were 12.5 days ( N= 8) and 20.8 days ( N= 5). The length of the second stadium was 3 days ( N= 5). One adult emerged, after being within the cocoon for 20 days (all temperatures, 75±3°F).

Eggs were laid in a stalked cluster in which there were fewer stalks than eggs. The first and third instars, which have piercing–sucking type mouthparts, were carnivorous and fed on the termite Zootermopsis angusticollis. Both of these stages were very mobile. On the other hand, the second instar, apparently a non-feeding stage, hung downward by the abdominal tip. It was not active except when disturbed, whereupon the body snapped into a straight position and then back again into the original C-shaped attitude. The cocoon was oval and transparent.

Viability decreased with successive instars and it is possible that the prey offered to the immatures was an inappropriate termite species and therefore a suboptimum food source. It is also likely that unfavorable physical conditions contributed to the high mortality of the immatures.

Both the second and third instar larvae are described, and the third instar is compared with a previously described third instar larva of an undetermined species within the same genus.