ROOSTING BEHAVIOUR BY FLETCHEROMYIA FLETCHERI (DIPTERA: SARCOPHAGIDAE) IN SARRACENIA PURPUREA (SARRACENIACEA)

The flute-shaped leaves of the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea L. are a fluidfilled microhabitat rich in invertebrate diversity (Bradshaw 1983; Heard 1994; Hardwick and Giberson 1996; Harvey and Miller 1996; Miller et al. 1994). They are the obligate larval habitat for Fletcherimyia fletcheri (Aldrich) (Forsyth and Robertson 1975). Most literature reports of F. fletcheri present information only on larval life history and population dynamics (Fish and Hall 1978; Hardwick and Giberson 1996). Forsyth and Robertson (1975) state anecdotally that they observed adults feeding on flowers and other nectar sources within their study area. We believe that our observations represent the first report of adult F. fletcheri roosting within the flower heads of the pitcher plant.