Immature stages and affinities of the southern lechwe warblefly,Strobiloestrus vanzyliZumpt (Diptera: Oestridae)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Eggs and first instar larvae of Strobiloestrus vanzyli Zumpt are described for the first time and it is suggested that there is a subdermal migration of the larvae from the site of oviposition on the hosts' hairs to the site of encystment and warble formation. Intrastadial morphological changes are reported for all larval instars and the descriptions of second and third stage larvae are enlarged. Wild caught adults and those reared from larvae extracted from lechwe antelope (Kobus leche) are compared with the published descriptions of Strobiloestrus species and with other specimens of this genus. The diagnostic features within the genus are discussed and it is concluded that S. vanzyli may not be a separate species from S. erikssoni. Strobiloestrus is considered in relation to other Oestridae, Hypodermatinae and Hypodermatini and it is suggested that this genus forms a distinctive group within the Hypodermatini but has some features in common with the Oestrinae.