Dipteran infestation of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtle nests in northern Cyprus

This paper describes dipteran infestation of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) a nd green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtle nests in northern Cyprus in 1996 and 1 997. Insect larvae were collected from infested nests, reared to adulthood and identified to species. A minimum of 13.4% (1996) and 17.4% (1997) of lo ggerhead turtle nests and 3.3% and 20.7% of green turtle nests were infeste d in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Eleven dipteran species were found infest ing turtle nests with one species (Sarcotachina aegyptiaca) being dominant. Gross estimates, utilizing the speeds of development for three species of sarcophagid showed that infestation was taking place differentially between the two turtle species. Various aspects of the effect of dipteran infestat ion on marine turtle nests in northern Cyprus and recommendations for futur e investigations are discussed.