Ecological Insights into the Predatory Behaviour of Condylostylus longicornis in Agricultural Fields of Madurai District, India
M. Pavunraj *
Post Graduate & Research Department of Zoology, Vivekananda College, Tiruvedakam West, Madurai District – 625 234, India.
K. Nagarajan
Department of Animal Science, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli – 627 012, India.
R.Ramakrishnan
P.G.& Research Department of Zoology, Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College (Autonomous), Sivakasi West - 626 124, India.
S. Raja
Post Graduate & Research Department of Zoology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore – 641029, India.
P. Murali
Department of Zoology, N.M.S. S. Vellaichamy Nadar College, Nagamalai, Madurai –625019, India.
M. Baranitharan
Department of Zoology, St. Joseph University, Chumoukedima, Nagaland – 797 115, India.
S. Rajeshkumar
Nanobiomedicine Lab, Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai – 602 105, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Researchers affiliated with the Post Graduate and Research Department of Zoology at Vivekananda College in Tiruvedakam West, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, along with collaborators from other institutions, have observed a rare predatory behaviour of long-legged fly Condylostylus longicornis (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) in the agroecosystem of the Sholavandan region in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu. In general, C. longicornis favours environments that are close to marshes, streams, meadows, or forests and that are slightly shaded. C. longicornis is considered an optimal bio-indicator species for monitoring and conserving water quality. This article provides an overview of the history, behavioural characteristics, and ecological significance of C. longicornis.
Keywords: Condylostylus longicornis, bio-indicator, courtship behaviour, Madurai District