The ecology of Honey Creek, Oklahoma: population dynamics and drifting behavior of three species of Simulium (Diptera: Simuliidae)
The population dynamics and drifting behavior of Simulium virgatum, S. trivittatum, and Simulium species A were investigated at nine stations in a south-central Oklahoma limestone stream from June 1972 through August 1973. Simulium species A abundance paralleled vernal periphyton increases and exhibited characteristic midsummer and midwinter decreases, while S. virgatum and S. trivittatum were most prevalent during late summer and early fall. Simulium species A and S. virgatum oviposited during the evening crepuscular period. In Simulium species A synchronous egg maturation and eclosion apparently imparted a degree of drift rhythmicity in the early instars which progressively degenerated during larval development. Simulium virgatum drift rates were highest during midafternoon and were correlated with diel changes in water temperature. Simulium trivittatum drift rates were highest during the evening and morning and lowest during the afternoon.