LIFE CYCLE AND BIOLOGY OF THE AFROTROPICAL SNAIL-KILLING FLY SEPEDON (SEPEDOMYIA) NASUTA VERBEKE (DIPTERA: SCIOMYZIDAE)

Described herein are the immature stages (egg, three larval instars, and puparium) of Sepedon (Sepedomyia) nasuta Verbeke from specimens collected in Benin. Analyzed are larval life-cycle modalities and larval feeding behavior on freshwater gastropods. Rainfall appears to affect significantly the magnitude of S. nasuta populations in Benin. Sepedon nasuta is shown to be polyphagous. Its status as multivoltine remains questionable. The species appears to hold promise as a potential candidate for use as a biological control agent against freshwater snails serving as intermediate hosts of parasites transmitted to humans or domestic animals. We summarize herein published biological data on 12 of the 65 species of Sciomyzidae recorded from the Afrotropical Region.