Evaluation of the infestation rate of Blaesoxipha alcedo in the carrion roller scarab Canthon cyanellus cyanellus and its effect on reproductive behavior.

This study documents Blaesoxipha alcedo (Aldrich; Diptera: Sarcophagidae) parasitizing the necrophagous ball roller beetle Canthon cyanellus cyanellus LeConte collected over 2 yr, and evaluates the reproductive behavior of parasitized beetles. Up to 52% of the beetles collected in the field had been parasitized and exhibited modified sexual behavior. In general, 21% of the males and 24% of the females had been parasitized. The number of parasitized males peaked in August 2000 (52%), but that of females peaked in May 2001 (52%). The lowest percentage of parasitized males (7%) was recorded in September 2000, June 2001, and July 2001; for females, parasitism was lowest in June 2000 (10%). The larva of this sarcophagid fly penetrates the host through the tegumentary membrane, leaving a scar. The larvae feed on the gonads of male and female C. c. cyanellus, castrating them, causing the loss of their ability to recognize individuals of the opposite sex, preventing reproduction, and lowering overall reproductive success.