Flight Ability of Plecia nearctica in the Laboratory1, 2

Abstract

In laboratory tests, the wingbeat frequencies of Plecia nearctica Hardy correlated directly with ambient temperature and were different for the sexes: males and females flew mean distances of 1467 and 1257 meters (m) at mean velocities of 24.9 and 33.2 m/min, respectively, during 368 min of testing at 31.1 °C and 56% RH. The flight ability of tethered females was impaired when the females were in copula with males whose wings had been removed. The velocity (m/min) at 27.8°C and 60% RH for tethered females in copula with perfect males (51.4) was greater than that of single males (44.9) or single females (44.0). This increased speed was directly related to the body angle, wing stroke angle, and wing pitch of the tandem males with respect to the females.