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Emergence composition and phenology of Tipulidae (Diptera) from a tropical rainforest stream at El Verde, Puerto Rico
Journal article

Emergence composition and phenology of Tipulidae (Diptera) from a tropical rainforest stream at El Verde, Puerto Rico

J Gelhaus, E Masteller and K Buzby
Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, v 66(2)
01 Jan 1993

Abstract

Diptera Freshwater Tipulidae
This paper represents the first study of the phenology of adult crane fly emergence from any tropical site. Twenty species of crane flies were collected by an emergence trap from February 1990 through January 1991 at Quebrada Prieta, a second-order stream in the Luquillo Mountains in northeastern Puerto Rico. Four species of Limonia comprised 75% of the individuals, and one species alone, L. (Geranomyia) virescens (Loew), comprised 47%. Crane fly emergence was continuous throughout the year but showed distinct fluctuations which might be seasonal, including greatest number of emerging adults in January through March, and few individuals from June through August. Fluctuations in emergence may be related to disturbance in the stream due to intense summer storms and resultant scouring of rock surfaces. Grazers on benthic algae included 68% of the crane fly individuals.

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