Feeding by Paracoenia and Ephydra (Diptera> Ephydridae) on the Microorganisms of Hot Springs

Abstract

Adult and larval ephydrid flies feed upon the microorganisms which colonize the effluents of hot springs, whereas the dolichopodid flies associated with them are not consumers of microorganisms, but are predators. Field observations were confirmed by radio—active isotope experiments differential extraction of radioactivity and assay of chlorophyll and proteins show that C 1 4 —labeled algae and bacteria are consumed and assimilated by the ephydrid insects. The natural history of these insects and their possible role in mineralization is also discussed.