FLIGHT PERIODS IN TEXAS OF 3 PARASITES (DIPTERA, PYRGOTIDAE) OF ADULTPHYLLOPHAGA SPP (COLEOPTERA, SCARABAEIDAE), AND EGG-PRODUCTION BY PYRGOTA-UNDATA

Flights by Pyrgota undata Wiedemann and Sphecomyiella valida (Harris) (Diptera: Pyrgotidae), parasites of adult Phyllophaga spp. (Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae), were monitored three and a partial fourth years at Da llas, Texas, by means of UV light traps. Pyrgotid flight periods in ot her Texas counties were estimated from museum specimens dating back to 1926. Pyrgota undata were trapped in Dallas County from 5 Apr-15 May; museum specimens for other Texas counties span 24 Mar (Brazos and Wil liamson Counties) through 7 Jun (Gonzales County). Only two S. valida were taken in Dallas County, one on 21 Apr and one on 10 May; records for other Texas counties cover 9 May (Brazos County) through 25 Jul (W illiamson County). A third pyrgotid, Boreothrinax maculipennis (Macqua rt), was not collected in Dallas County; its records elsewhere in Texa s range from 26 Mar (Anderson County) to 5 May (Cherokee County). Late season Phyllophaga flights escape exposure to pyrgotids. Pyrgota unda ta, S. valida, and B. maculipennis records include 7, 15, and 7 Texas counties, respectively; their overall sex ratios were 40:10, 22:28, an d 17:7 females:males, respectively. Pyrgota undata females contained 0 -161 (mean = 84.5, median = 91.0) eggs. No seasonal trend was evident in the numbers of eggs per Py. undata female.