LARVAL DISPERSAL IN CHRYSOMYA-MEGACEPHALA, CHRYSOMYA-PUTORIA AND COCHLIOMYIA-MACELLARIA (DIPT, CALLIPHORIDAE) - ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF AGGREGATION BEHAVIOR

In this study we investigate aggregated patterns as a consequence of p ost-feeding larval dispersal in three blowfly species, based on the fr equency distribution of sampling units in the substrate having 0, 1, 2 , ..., n pupae. Statistical analysis revealed that aggregated patterns of distribution emerge as a consequence of larval dispersal, and Coch liomyia macellaria has higher levels of aggregation when compared to C hrysomya megacephala and C. putoria. Aggregation during dispersal is a ssociated with a spatial pattern where most larvae in the species tend to pupariate near the food source. The possible consequences for the population ecology of these species are discussed.