INTRASPECIFIC AND INTERSPECIFIC BREEDING BEHAVIOR OF CHIRONOMUS PALLIDIVITTATUS (DIPTERA: CHIRONOMIDAE)

Abstract

A chironomid population found in a temporary pond in South Dakota and believed to be conspecific with the European Chironomus pallidivittatus was studied. Field and laboratory observations of intraspecific mating behavior are reported. The percentages of females producing viable eggs in crosses of C. pallidivittatus males with females of C. tentons and C. crassicaudatus were 6.2% and 6.3% respectively. In the reciprocal combinations, mating was difficult to induce and no viable eggs were produced. Neither the South Dakota population nor the European species called C. pallidivittatus conform to the morphology of the lectotype.