COLCONDAMYIA AUDITRIX NOV. SP. (DIPTERA: SARCOPHAGIDAE), A PARASITE WHICH IS ATTRACTED BY THE MATING SONG OF ITS HOST, OKANAGANA RIMOSA (HOMOPTERA: CICADIDAE)

Abstract

A new species of sarcophagid, Colcondamyia auditrix, is described, which locates its cicada host by sound. The fly was shown to respond to the mating song of the male cicada, and the majority of parasitized cicadas were male. Parasitism of females occasionally occurs when they are attracted to males simultaneously with the parasite. Levels of parasitism varied from 18.6% in 1962 to 0.2% in 1967 to 14.1% in 1973. Male cicadas lost their sound producing capability following parasitization, rendering them inaccessible to further female flies and thus apparently preventing multiple parasitism.