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Free keywords:
riparian fauna; winter-breeder; estivation; streams; seasonal migration; gonad development; larval morphology; life cycle; crop fields
Abstract:
Lesteva longelytrata performs long-ranging seasonal migrations, in flight, between contrasting habitats. In May, immature beetles with undeveloped gonads arrive at riparian habitats along streams, standing waters, and other wet habitats where they are common. However, beetles forage and remain active only until mid June and then estivate in sheltered spots at the same sites. In autumn, beetles with fully developed gonads and ready to mate move to sometimes distant bare fields where they are active over winter, until early March. Beetles reproduce and remain active at mean daily temperatures near freezing point. The three larval instars occur on winter fields between December and April when they pupate. Adults and larvae are mainly scavengers.
