Explanation of Names
Common name for this species is based on the Latin name, undata, which means "waved".
Identification
Most widespread eastern member of this genus. Large (18 mm), dark, waved edge to forewing.
Range
Eastern and central North America
Habitat
Deciduous forests, also meadows, etc., probably non-specific.
Season
Spring. April-May (North Carolina)
Life Cycle
Life history: Female lights on a feeding May beetle, causing it to take flight. Pyrgotid then oviposits into beetle's back while soft parts are exposed in flight. Flies usually attack female beetles only and may pursue them under lights. Larvae is about 1 cm long, takes about 14 days to kill host beetle and then consumes entire interior. Fly pupates inside host remains and pupates there, emerges following spring.
(1)Print References
Swan and Papp, p. 624, fig. 1340
(1)
Arnett, p. 891, fig. 29.43,
(2)
Lutz, 1st ed., plate LXXI, illustrates P. undata
(3)
Milne, p. 673, fig. 441--photo of Pyrgota species, not P. undata
(5)
Salsbury, p. 405--photo P. undata
(6)Contributed by
Cotinis on 25 September, 2004 - 7:18am
Last updated 2 April, 2005 - 4:55pm
