Laboratory studies of Hawaiian Sciaridae (Diptera)

Abstract

Fourteen Hawaiian Sciaridae (Diptera) were studied in the laboratory and reared in constant temperature cabinets at 20°C + or -2°. Six of these species are possibly endemic. The mean developmental time in days of eggs, larvae and pupae for each species, except Hyperlasion magnisensoria (Hardy) is given. Total mean developmental time for each species was as follows: Bradysia, sp. 1 - 18.8; B. impatiens (Johannsen) - 16.3; B. molokaiensis (Grimshaw) - 16.2;B. spatitergum (Hardy) - 17.9; B.tritici (Coquillett), "monogenic"- 18.5; B. tritici (Coquillett), “digenic"- 22.2; Corynoptera brevipalis Steffan - 34.0; Ctenosciara hawaiiensis (Hardy) - 29.0; Lycoriella hayti (Hardy) - 33.0; L. solispina (Fitch) -20.0; L. solispina (Hardy) - 19.8; Phytosciara, sp. 2 - 21.5; Plastosciara pernicisoa Edwards - 27.3 and Scatopsciara nigrita Hardy - 24.5. The probable ecological role for each species is given. Most Hawaiian Sciaridae are either phytosaprophagous or mycetophagous or both. Some are known to be facultatively phytophagous elsewhere and several species are probably facultatively coprophagous. One or more species may be corticolous feeders.