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DIPTERA, Lonchaeidae -- <Images> & <Juveniles>

Many species of Lonchaeidae develop in rotting vegetation, but some are also prededors. Taylor (1929, 1930) found that the larvae of Lonchaea corticis Taylor were predaceous on those of Pissodes strobi Peck and other beetles, the species ranking second among the natural enemies of the pest. Eggs were laid in clusters of 6-25 in the oviposition burrows of the beetles. Larvae were not restricted entirely to animal food but also ingested frass, etc. When the eggs of predator and host occur simultaneously, or if those of the predator precede hatching of the host by a few days to one week, the greatest host destruction occurs.

References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references may be found at: MELVYL Library]