Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cannibalistic Behavior and Functional Response in Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

  • Published:
Journal of Insect Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Chrysomya albiceps is a facultative predator and cannibal species during the larval stage. Very little is known about cannibalism and prey size preference, especially in blowflies. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of prey size and larval density on cannibalism by third-instar larvae of C. albiceps under laboratory conditions. Our results indicate that no cannibalism occurs by third-instar larvae on first- and second-instar larvae, but third-instar larvae do eat second-instar larvae. The functional response on second-instar larvae is consistent with Holling type II. The consequences of consuming second-, compared to first- or third-, instar larvae as well as the implications of cannibalism for the population dynamics of C. albiceps are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Abrams, P. (1982). Functional responses of optimal foragers. Am. Nat. 120: 382-390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agarwala, B. K., and Dixon, A. F. G. (1992). Laboratory study of cannibalism and interspecific predation in ladybirds. Ecol. Entomol. 17: 303-309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, K. H., and Polis, G. A. (1987). An experimental analysis of optimal and central place foraging by the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex californicus. Oecologia 72: 440-448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumgartner, D. L., and Greenberg, B. (1984). The genus Chrysomya (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the New World. J. Med. Entomol. 21: 105-113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaustein, L., and Dumont, H. J. (1990). Typhloplanid flatworms (Mesostoma and related genera): Mechanisms of predation and evidence that they structure aquatic invertebrate communities. Hydrobiologia 198: 61-77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braack, L. E. O. (1986). Arthropods associated with carcasses in the northern Kruger National Park. S. Afr. J. Wild. Res. 16: 91-98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Case, T. J. (2000). An Illustraded Guide of Theoretical Ecology. Oxford University Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costantino, R. F., Cushing, J. M., Dennis, B., and Desharnais, R. A. (1995). Experimentally induced transitions in the dynamic behaviour of insect populations. Nature 375: 227-230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Costantino, R. F., Deshamais, R. A., Cushing, J. M., and Dennis, B. (1997). Chaotic dynamics in an insect population. Science 275: 389-391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crowley, P., Nisbet, R., Gurney, W., and Lawton, J. (1987). Population regulation in animals with complex life histories: Formulation and analysis of a damself model. Adv. Ecol. Res. 17: 1-59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dennis, B., Desharnais, R. A., Cushing, J. M., and Costantino, R. F. (1995). Nonlinear demographic dynamics: Mathematical models, statistical methods and biological experiments. Ecol. Monog. 65: 261-281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong, Q., and Polis, G. A. (1992). The dynamics of cannibalistic populations: A foraging perspective. In Elgar, M. A., and Crespi, B. J. (eds.), Cannibalism, Ecology and Evolution Among Diverse Taxas, Oxford Science, Oxford, pp. 13-38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elgar, M. A., and Crespi, B. J. (1992). Ecology and evolution of cannibalism. In Elgar, M. A., and Crespi, B. J. (eds.), Cannibalism, Ecology and Evolution Among Diverse Taxas, Oxford Science, Oxford, pp. 1-13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elner, R. W., and Hughes, R. N. (1978). Energy maximization in the diet of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas. J. Anim. Ecol. 47: 103-116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faria, L. D. B. (2001). Predação larval e resposta funcional em populações experimentais de Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Dissertação de Mestrado, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faria, L. D. B., and Godoy, W. A. C. (2001). Prey choice by facultative predator larvae of Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 96: 875-878.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faria, L. D. B., Orsi, L., Trinca, L. A., and Godoy, W. A. C. (1999). Larval predation by Chrysomya albiceps on Cochliomyia macellaria, Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya putoria. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 90: 149-155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fincke, O. M. (1994). Population regulation of a tropical damselfly in the larval stage by food limitation, cannibalism intraguild predation and habitat drying. Oecologia 100: 118-127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folkvord, A., and Hunter, J. R. (1986). Size-specific vulnerability of northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax, larvae to predation by fishes. Fish. Bull. (U.S.) 84: 859-869.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, L. R. (1975). Cannibalism in natural populations. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 6: 87-106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giray, T., Luyten, Y., MacPherson, M., and Stevens, L. (2001). Physiological bases of cannibalism and its evolution in the four beetje Tribolium confusum. Evolution 55: 797-806.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodbrod, J. R., and Goff, M. L. (1990). Effects of larval population density on rates of development and interactions between two species of Chrysomya (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in laboratory culture. J. Med. Entomol. 27(3): 338-343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gotelli, N. J. (1995). A Primer of Ecology, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guimarães, J. H., Prado, A. P., and Linhares, A. X. (1978). Three newly introduced blowfly species in southern Brazil (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Rev. Bras. Entomol. 22: 53-60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guimarães, J. H., Prado, A. P., and Buralli, G. M. (1979). Dispersal and distribution of three e newly introduced species of Chrysomya Robineau-Desvoidy in Brazil (Diptera, Calliphoridae). Rev. Bras. Entomol. 23: 245-255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassell, M. P. (1978). The Dynamics of Arthropod Predator-Prey Systems, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hastings, A. (1987). Cycles in cannibalistic egg-larval interactions. J. Math. Biol. 24: 651-666.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hastings, A., and Costantino, R. F. (1987). Cannibalistic egg-larva interactions in Tribolium: An explanation for the oscillations in population numbers. Am. Nat. 120: 36-52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hausfater, G., and Hrdy, S. (1984). Infanticide: Comparative and Evolutionary Perspectives, Aldine, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hildrew, A. G., and Townsend, C. R. (1977). The influence of substrate on the functional response of Plectrocnemia conspersa (Curtis) larvae (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae). Oecologia 31: 21-26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hironori, Y., and Katsuhiro, S. (1997). Cannibalism and interspecific predation in two predatory ladybird in relation to prey abundance in the field. Entomophaga 42: 153-163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho, F. K., and Dawson, P. S. (1966). Egg canibalism by Tribolium larvae. Ecology 47: 318-322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holling, C. S. (1959). Some caracteristics of simple types of predation and parasitism. Can. Entomol. 91: 385-398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holling, C. S. (1965). The functional response of predators to prey density and its role in mimicry and population regulation. Mem. Entomol. Soc. Can. 45.

  • Hunter, J. R., and Kimbrell, C. A. (1980). Egg cannibalism in the northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax. Fish. Bull. (U.S.) 78: 811-816.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ives, A. R. (1988). Aggregation and the coexistence of competitors. Ann. Zool. Fenn. 25: 75-88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson, G. (1992). Effects of zooplankton availability and foraging mode on cannibalism in three dragonfly larvae. Oecologia 91: 179-183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, H. (1983). Small scale spatial heterogeneity influences predation success in an unexpected way: model experiments on the functional response of predatory mites (Acarina). Oecologia 56: 249-256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kneidel, K. A. (1984a). Competition and disturbance in communities of carrion breeding diptera. J. Anim. Ecol. 53: 849-865.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kneidel, K. A. (1984b). The influence of carcass taxon and size on species composition of carrion-breeding Diptera. Am. Mid. Nat. 111: 57-63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurence, B. R. (1986). Old World blowflies in the New World. Parasitol. Today 2: 77-79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, J. R., and Gemmell, M. A. (1990). Transmission of taeniid tapeworm eggs via blowflies to intermediate hosts. Parasitology 100: 143-146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipcius, R. N., and Hines, A. H. (1986). Variable function responses of a marine predator in dissimilar homogeneous microhabitats. Ecology 67: 1361-1371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murdoch, W. W., and Oaten, A. (1975). Predation and population stability. Adv. Ecol. Res. 9: 2-131.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Brien, W., Slade., N., and Vinyard, G. (1976). Apparent size as the determinant of prey selection by bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). Ecology 57: 1304-1310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orr, B. K., Murdoch, W. W., and Bence, J. R. (1990). Population regulation, convergence, and cannibalism in Notonecta (Hemiptera). Ecology 71: 68-82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polis, G. A. (1981). The evolution of dynamics of intraspecific predation. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 12: 125-251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polis, G. A. (1984). Age structure component of niche width and intraspecific resource partitioning by predators: Can age groups function as ecological species? Am. Nat. 123: 541-564.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prado, A. P., and Guimarães, J. H. (1982). Estado atual de dispersão e distribuição do gênero Chrysomya Robineau-Desvoidy na região Neotropical (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Rev. Bras. Entomol. 26: 225-231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putman, R. J. (1983). Carrion and Dung: The Decomposition of Animal Wastes. Studies in Biology Series, Vol. (156), Institute of Biology, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Queiroz, M. M. C., Mello, R. P., and Lima, M. M. (1997). Morphological aspects of the larval instars of Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera, Calliphoridae) reare in the laboratory. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz 92: 187-196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roger, C., Coderre, D., and Boivin, G. (2000). Differential prey utilization by generalist predator Coleomegilla maculata lengi according to prey size and species. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 94: 3-13.

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute (1989). SAS/STAT User's Guide, v. 6, 4th ed., SAS Institute, Cary, NC.

  • Schausberger, P., and Croft, A. (1999). Predation on and discrimination between cornn-and heterospecific eggs among specialist and generalist Phytoseiid mites (acari: Phytoseiidae). Environ. Entomol. 28: 523-528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoener, T. W. (1969). Models of optimal size for solitary predators. Am. Nat. 103: 277-313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoener, T. W. (1987). A brief history of optimal foraging ecology. In Kamil, A. C., Krebs, J. R., and Pulliam, H. R. (eds.), Foraging Behavior, Plenum, New York, pp. 5-67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherratt, T. N., and Macdougall, A. D. (1995). Some population consequences of variation in preference among individual predators. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 55: 93-107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, K. G. V. (1986). A Manual of Forensic Entomology, University Printing House, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonleitner, F. J., and Guthrie, P. J. (1991). Factors affecting oviposition rate in the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum and the origin of the population regulating mechanism. Res. Pop. Ecol. 33: 1-12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spence, J. R., and Carcamo, H. A. (1991). Effects of cannibalism and intraguild predation on pondskaters (Gerridae). Oikos 62: 333-341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, L. (1992). Cannibalism in beetles. In Elgar, M. A., and Crespi, B. J. (eds.), Cannibalism, Ecology and Evolution Among Diverse Taxa, Oxford Science, Oxford, pp. 156-175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suchman, C. L., and Sullivan, B. K. (2000). Effect of prey size on vulnerability of copepods to predation by the scyphomedusae Aurelia aurita and Cyanea sp. J. Plank. Res. 22: 2289-2306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tschinkel, W. R. (1993). Resource allocation, brood production and cannibalism during colony founding in the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Behav. Ecol. Soc. 33: 209-233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ullyett, G. C. (1950). Competition for food and allied phenomena in sheep-blowfly populations. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond. B234: 77-174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, J. D. (1991). Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) has reached the continental United States: Review of its biology, pest status, and spread around the world. J. Med. Entomol. 28: 471-473.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, J. D., and Greenberg, B. (1992). Rates of predation by Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) on Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabr.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in the laboratory: Effect of predator and prey development. Pan-Pac. Entomol. 68: 12-14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, J. D., and Kurahashi, H. (1997). Chrysomya megacephala (Fabr.) is more resistant to attack by Chrysiomya rufifacies (Marcquart) in laboratory arena than is Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabr.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Pan-Pac. Entomol. 73: 16-20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zar, J. H. (1999). Biostatistical Analysis, 4th ed., Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zumpt, F. (1965). Myiasis in Man and Animals in the Old World, Butterworths, London.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Parasitologia, IB, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rubião Jr., Botucatu, 18618-000, SP, Brazil

    Lucas Del Bianco Faria & Wesley Augusto Conde Godoy

  2. Departamento de Bioestatística, IB, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rubião Jr., Botucatu, 18618-000, SP, Brazil

    Luzia Aparecida Trinca

Authors
  1. Lucas Del Bianco Faria
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luzia Aparecida Trinca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wesley Augusto Conde Godoy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Faria, L.D.B., Trinca, L.A. & Godoy, W.A.C. Cannibalistic Behavior and Functional Response in Chrysomya albiceps (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Journal of Insect Behavior 17, 251–261 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOIR.0000028574.91062.18

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOIR.0000028574.91062.18

Search

Navigation