Ethology of Holopogon snowi Back, 1909 (Diptera: Asilidae) in Northeastern Florida, U.S.A.

Abstract

Holopogon snowi Back, 1909 foraged from plant twig tips, capturing prey in flight, and immobilizing them in flight or at the feeding site. Identified prey came from eight orders: Araneae (0.5%), Blattodea (family Termitidae; 9.9%), Coleoptera (0.5%), Diptera (8.8%), Hemiptera (26.4%), Hymenoptera (11.0%), Psocoptera (11.0%), and Thysanoptera (27.5%). Male courtship preceded mating in the tail-to-tail position. Females dropped eggs on the twigs of scrub oak or directly onto the ground. This species demonstrated a distinct daily rhythm of activity for feeding, mating, and ovipositing. Grooming behavior did not occur often but resembled that of other species of Asilidae. Habitat, resting behavior, and predators also are discussed. This is the first record of H. snowi occurring in Florida.