LONG-TERM PATTERNS OF BOTFLY PARASITISM IN PEROMYSCUS MANICULATUS, P. LEUCOPUS, AND TAMIAS STRIATUS

Abstract

We used data collected from 1979 to 1998 at Powdermill Biological Station in southwestern Pennsylvania to explore the relationship between Cuterebra (botfly) and white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). Overall, P. leucopus and P. maniculatus exhibited similar levels of botfly infestation (as measured by prevalence), while T. striatus showed greater prevalence than the mice. Adult P. leucopus and T. striatus exhibited greater prevalence than juveniles, and adult and juvenile P.maniculatus showed similar prevalence levels. Male and female prevalence was similar in each species. Botfly-infested individuals tended to remain significantly longer in the trapping area than noninfested individuals and were more likely to meet our criteria for “residents” than were noninfested individuals. We question the relative impact of botflies on individual survival in these species.