Diurnal activity of mutillid females of a southwestern Michigan sand area was characterized in relation to sand surface temperature conditions. Seasonal abundance patterns weredetermined for four Dasymutilla species

Evans, David A

English

ValpoScholar

The Great Lakes Entomologist 
Volume 15 
Number 3 - Fall 1982 Number 3 - Fall 1982 Article 13 
October 1982 
Diurnal and Seasonal Activity of Female Mutillids on a Michigan 
Sand Flat (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) 
David A. Evans 
Kalamazoo College 
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle 
 Part of the Entomology Commons 
Recommended Citation 
Evans, David A. 1982. "Diurnal and Seasonal Activity of Female Mutillids on a Michigan Sand Flat 
(Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)," The Great Lakes Entomologist, vol 15 (3) 
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol15/iss3/13 
This Peer-Review Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Biology at ValpoScholar. 
It has been accepted for inclusion in The Great Lakes Entomologist by an authorized administrator of ValpoScholar. 
For more information, please contact a ValpoScholar staff member at scholar@valpo.edu. 
DIURNAL AND SEASONAL ACTIVITY OF FEMALE MUTILLIDS 

ON A MICHIGAN SAND FLAT (HYMENOPTERA: MUTILLIDAE) 

David A. Evans 1 
ABSTRACT 
Diurnal activity of mutillid females of a southwestern Michigan sand area was character­
ized in relation to sand surface temperature conditions. Seasonal abundance patterns were 
determined for four Dasymutilla species. 
Female mutiHids are eonspicuous elements of the fauna of sandy areas in southwestern 
Miehigan, yet little information has been gathered on diurnal or seasonal activity patterns of 
these 
insects. Periodic activity 
in arid habitats has long been recognized as a hygrothermal 
stress-reducing adaptation (Cloudsley-Thompson 1975), and a number of studies have been 
done on 
temperature-related activity patterns 
of insects inhabiting sand areas in the northern 
United States (Waldbauer et al. 1977, Maier and Waldauer 1979). Chapman et al. (1923) 
characterized female mutillids as the last insects to retreat from the sand as the temperature 
rosc and the first to return when the temperature fell. 
Observations were made on a single sand flat over the course of the summer season 1979 
to determine the relationship of diurnal activity of female mutillids to temperature condi­
tions, to characterize seasonal patterns of activity, and to detect differential activity patterns 
among the various mutillid species of the habitat. 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
The 
site observed was a sand flat 2 km north of Alamo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. 
The area measured approximately 
75 by 200 m; the surface of the area varied from patchy 
vegetation o bare sand, and margins of the study site were sharply delimited by oak woods 
or 
old fields. 
Observations were made at weekly intervals from 
21 June until 6 September 1979. 
Temperature (air and sand surface), humidity, wind, and cloud cover data were taken hourly 
from 0700 through 170  hours EST. The survey technique was similar to that used by Maier 
and 
Waldbauer (1979) in determining diurnal activity ofsyrphid flies. A set zig-zag path was 
walked 
over the sand flat at hourly intervals, each circuit taking roughly one-half hour. 
Female mutillids seen were captured, identified, and released at the point of capture. 
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 
Females of eight species were collected at the site. In order of decreasing abundance, they 
were Dasymutilla nigripes (Fabr.), D. lepeletierii (Fox), D. canella (Blake), D. asopus bexar 
(Blake), Timulla v. vagans (Fabr.), D. v. vesta (Cresson), Pseudomethocaf.ji-igida (Smith), 
and P. s. sanbomii (Blake). 
Overall diurnal activity patterns for all females (n 3(4) are shown in Figure 1. A 
somewhat bimodal activity pattern is indicated from these data but is most strongly ex­
pressed when activity patterns are depicted for females (n 98) captured on days when the 
IDepartrnent of Biology, Kalamazoo College. Kalamazoo, MI49OO7. 
213 
1
Evans: Diurnal and Seasonal Activity of Female Mutillids on a Michigan S
Published by ValpoScholar, 1982
214 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST Vol. IS, No.3 
TOTAL FEMALES 
50 

40 

30 

20 

iO 
Fig. l. Diurnal activity of female mutillids. Summer 1979, Alamo, Michigan (weekly obseryationsl. 
TOTAL FEMALES 
I 
0700 0800 0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 17ce 
HOUR (EST) 
25 
20 
15 
10 
I . I I 
0700 0800 090C 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 16CO 
HOUR (DAYS SURFACE TEMP. ABOVE 45°C) 
Fig. 2. Diurnal activity of female mutillids on days when sand surface temperature exceeded 45'C. 
Summer 1979, Alamo, Michigan (weekly observations). 
sand surface temperature exceeded 45°C (Fig. 2). Figure 3 shows little female activity below 
a sand surface temperature of 34°C or above 46°C with most females active at 40°C. As 
temperatures exceeded 45cC. females were noted walking on leaves of plants, particularly 
Asclepias sp., that were growing on the sand flat. Observations were also made of females 
apparently seeking refuge from high temperatures by crawling under protective objects on 
the sand surface or burying themselves under loose sand. A typical day of observation 
during the summer season showed commencement of female activity at 0800, a decreasing 
number of 
females on 
the open sand as the surface tempeature rose, and an activity increase 
to 
a peak in late afternoon until about 
1700, after which few females could be seen. 
No 
species differences were detected among diurnal activity patterns 
of those females 
observed. 
2
The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 15, No. 3 [1982], Art. 13
https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol15/iss3/13
1982 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST 215 
TOTAL FEMALES 
50 

40 

30 

20 

10 
20 24 	 w ~ ~ ~ M ~ ~ 56 60 
SURFACE TEMPERATURE (0C) 
Fig. 3. Activity of female mutillids in relation to sand surface temperature, Summer 1979, Alamo, 
Michigan. 
40 
OuymutiJle nigri)es DasyrnutiHa lepeletierii 
'11 30 
i 
2. 20 
I 
10 
40 
.. 
• 30 
~ 
a 20 
10 
June 
Fig. 4. Seasonal abundance of four Dasymutilla species. Summer 1979, Alamo, Michigan (weekly obser­
vations). 
A seasonal progression of activity for females o  the four most abundant species is shown 
in Figure 4. D. nigripes activity occurred throughout the summer, increasing to a peak in 
mid-August; peak activity for D. lepeletierii extended from mid-July to early August: D. a. 
bexar was prominent early in the season and again at the beginning of September; D. canella 
was active in late June and declined in numbers until a resurgence in early August. 
Although diurnal activity patterns are probably related to sand surface conditions, 
seasonal activity for each species is more likely determined by presence and abundance of 
hymenopterous hosts of these insects. As at least one mutillid species, D. nigripes, is 
capable of adult overwintering in Michigan (Evans and Miller 1970), and a small number of 
Dasymut"iila 3$OpU$ bexar DasymutlUa csnetla 
.pt 
3
Evans: Diurnal and Seasonal Activity of Female Mutillids on a Michigan S
Published by ValpoScholar, 1982
216 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST Vol. 15, No.3 
females were seen on the sand flat in arly June, it would be desirable to begin data 
collection several weeks sooner than the beginning of this study. Additional information is 
needed on life cycles, host associations, and degrees of specificity of the Mutillidae in order 
to 
determine factors producing a characteristic seasonal progression of species. 
LITERATURE CITED 
Chapman, R. N., C. E. Mickel, J. R. Parker, G. E. Miller, and E. G. Kelly. 1926. Studies in the ecology of sand dune instects. Ecology. 7:416--426. 
Cloudsley-Thompson, J. L. 1975. Adaptations of Arthropoda to arid environments. Ann. 
Rev. Entomol. 20:261-283. 
Evans, D. A., and B. R  Miller. 1970. A note of overwintering of Dasymutilla nigripes in 
Michigan (Hymenoptera: MutiIlidae). Michigan Entomol. 2:74. 
Maier, C. T., and G. P. Waldbauer. 1979. Diurnal activity patterns oftlower flies (Diptera: 
Syrphidae) in an Illinois sand area. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 72:237-245. 
Waldbauer, G. P., J. G. Sternburg, and C. T. Maier. 1977. Phenological relationships of 
wasps, bumblebees, their mimics, and insectivorous birds in an Illinois sand area. 
Ecology. 58:583-591. 
4
The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 15, No. 3 [1982], Art. 13
https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol15/iss3/13


Diurnal and Seasonal Activity of Female Mutillids on a Michigan Sand Flat (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)

Valparaiso University

The Great Lakes Entomologist Volume 15 Number 3 - Fall 1982 Number 3 - Fall 1982 Article 13 October 1982 Diurnal and Seasonal Activity of Female Mutillids on a Michigan Sand Flat (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) David A. Evans Kalamazoo College Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle  Part of the Entomology Commons Recommended Citation Evans, David A. 1982. "Diurnal and Seasonal Activity of Female Mutillids on a Michigan Sand Flat (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)," The Great Lakes Entomologist, vol 15 (3) Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol15/iss3/13 This Peer-Review Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of Biology at ValpoScholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Great Lakes Entomologist by an authorized administrator of ValpoScholar. For more information, please contact a ValpoScholar staff member at scholar@valpo.edu. DIURNAL AND SEASONAL ACTIVITY OF FEMALE MUTILLIDS ON A MICHIGAN SAND FLAT (HYMENOPTERA: MUTILLIDAE) David A. Evans 1 ABSTRACT Diurnal activity of mutillid females of a southwestern Michigan sand area was character­ized in relation to sand surface temperature conditions. Seasonal abundance patterns were determined for four Dasymutilla species. Female mutiHids are eonspicuous elements of the fauna of sandy areas in southwestern Miehigan, yet little information has been gathered on diurnal or seasonal activity patterns of these insects. Periodic activity in arid habitats has long been recognized as a hygrothermal stress-reducing adaptation (Cloudsley-Thompson 1975), and a number of studies have been done on temperature-related activity patterns of insects inhabiting sand areas in the northern United States (Waldbauer et al. 1977, Maier and Waldauer 1979). Chapman et al. (1923) characterized female mutillids as the last insects to retreat from the sand as the temperature rosc and the first to return when the temperature fell. Observations were made on a single sand flat over the course of the summer season 1979 to determine the relationship of diurnal activity of female mutillids to temperature condi­tions, to characterize seasonal patterns of activity, and to detect differential activity patterns among the various mutillid species of the habitat. MATERIALS AND METHODS The site observed was a sand flat 2 km north of Alamo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. The area measured approximately 75 by 200 m; the surface of the area varied from patchy vegetation o bare sand, and margins of the study site were sharply delimited by oak woods or old fields. Observations were made at weekly intervals from 21 June until 6 September 1979. Temperature (air and sand surface), humidity, wind, and cloud cover data were taken hourly from 0700 through 170  hours EST. The survey technique was similar to that used by Maier and Waldbauer (1979) in determining diurnal activity ofsyrphid flies. A set zig-zag path was walked over the sand flat at hourly intervals, each circuit taking roughly one-half hour. Female mutillids seen were captured, identified, and released at the point of capture. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Females of eight species were collected at the site. In order of decreasing abundance, they were Dasymutilla nigripes (Fabr.), D. lepeletierii (Fox), D. canella (Blake), D. asopus bexar (Blake), Timulla v. vagans (Fabr.), D. v. vesta (Cresson), Pseudomethocaf.ji-igida (Smith), and P. s. sanbomii (Blake). Overall diurnal activity patterns for all females (n 3(4) are shown in Figure 1. A somewhat bimodal activity pattern is indicated from these data but is most strongly ex­pressed when activity patterns are depicted for females (n 98) captured on days when the IDepartrnent of Biology, Kalamazoo College. Kalamazoo, MI49OO7. 213 1Evans: Diurnal and Seasonal Activity of Female Mutillids on a Michigan SPublished by ValpoScholar, 1982214 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST Vol. IS, No.3 TOTAL FEMALES 50 40 30 20 iO Fig. l. Diurnal activity of female mutillids. Summer 1979, Alamo, Michigan (weekly obseryationsl. TOTAL FEMALES I 0700 0800 0900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 17ce HOUR (EST) 25 20 15 10 I . I I 0700 0800 090C 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 16CO HOUR (DAYS SURFACE TEMP. ABOVE 45°C) Fig. 2. Diurnal activity of female mutillids on days when sand surface temperature exceeded 45'C. Summer 1979, Alamo, Michigan (weekly observations). sand surface temperature exceeded 45°C (Fig. 2). Figure 3 shows little female activity below a sand surface temperature of 34°C or above 46°C with most females active at 40°C. As temperatures exceeded 45cC. females were noted walking on leaves of plants, particularly Asclepias sp., that were growing on the sand flat. Observations were also made of females apparently seeking refuge from high temperatures by crawling under protective objects on the sand surface or burying themselves under loose sand. A typical day of observation during the summer season showed commencement of female activity at 0800, a decreasing number of females on the open sand as the surface tempeature rose, and an activity increase to a peak in late afternoon until about 1700, after which few females could be seen. No species differences were detected among diurnal activity patterns of those females observed. 2The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 15, No. 3 [1982], Art. 13https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol15/iss3/131982 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST 215 TOTAL FEMALES 50 40 30 20 10 20 24 	 w ~ ~ ~ M ~ ~ 56 60 SURFACE TEMPERATURE (0C) Fig. 3. Activity of female mutillids in relation to sand surface temperature, Summer 1979, Alamo, Michigan. 40 OuymutiJle nigri)es DasyrnutiHa lepeletierii '11 30 i 2. 20 I 10 40 .. • 30 ~ a 20 10 June Fig. 4. Seasonal abundance of four Dasymutilla species. Summer 1979, Alamo, Michigan (weekly obser­vations). A seasonal progression of activity for females o  the four most abundant species is shown in Figure 4. D. nigripes activity occurred throughout the summer, increasing to a peak in mid-August; peak activity for D. lepeletierii extended from mid-July to early August: D. a. bexar was prominent early in the season and again at the beginning of September; D. canella was active in late June and declined in numbers until a resurgence in early August. Although diurnal activity patterns are probably related to sand surface conditions, seasonal activity for each species is more likely determined by presence and abundance of hymenopterous hosts of these insects. As at least one mutillid species, D. nigripes, is capable of adult overwintering in Michigan (Evans and Miller 1970), and a small number of Dasymut"iila 3$OpU$ bexar DasymutlUa csnetla .pt 3Evans: Diurnal and Seasonal Activity of Female Mutillids on a Michigan SPublished by ValpoScholar, 1982216 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST Vol. 15, No.3 females were seen on the sand flat in arly June, it would be desirable to begin data collection several weeks sooner than the beginning of this study. Additional information is needed on life cycles, host associations, and degrees of specificity of the Mutillidae in order to determine factors producing a characteristic seasonal progression of species. LITERATURE CITED Chapman, R. N., C. E. Mickel, J. R. Parker, G. E. Miller, and E. G. Kelly. 1926. Studies in the ecology of sand dune instects. Ecology. 7:416--426. Cloudsley-Thompson, J. L. 1975. Adaptations of Arthropoda to arid environments. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 20:261-283. Evans, D. A., and B. R  Miller. 1970. A note of overwintering of Dasymutilla nigripes in Michigan (Hymenoptera: MutiIlidae). Michigan Entomol. 2:74. Maier, C. T., and G. P. Waldbauer. 1979. Diurnal activity patterns oftlower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) in an Illinois sand area. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 72:237-245. Waldbauer, G. P., J. G. Sternburg, and C. T. Maier. 1977. Phenological relationships of wasps, bumblebees, their mimics, and insectivorous birds in an Illinois sand area. Ecology. 58:583-591. 4The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 15, No. 3 [1982], Art. 13https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol15/iss3/13

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Diurnal and Seasonal Activity of Female Mutillids on a Michigan Sand Flat (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)

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