Japanese Conopidae (Diptera) : Their Biology, Overall Distribution, and Role as Parasites of Bumble Bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Myopa fasciata MEIGEN, Thecophora atra (FABR.), Conops vesicularis L., C. strigatus WEIDEMANN and Pleurocerinella tibialis CHEN are recorded from Japan for the first time. New synonymies proposed are : C. nigrifrons KROBER with C. strigatus WEIDEMANN and C. nigricosta MATSUMURA with C. vesicularis L. New host records are given for Physcocephala obscura KROBER, Zodion vsevolodi ZIMINA, Z. cinereum FABR., Myopa buccata (L.) and Dalmannia signata CHEN. Twenty conopid species were taken from more than 83 species of flowers. Seasonal activity is summarized and the geographical distribution outlined for 24 species. Sixteen species remain active for 4-6 months. The biology of the conopids in Japan is reviewed. An account is given of the relative commonness or rarity of the species. In August/September, 9-33% of the workers of Bombus hypocrita PEREZ, B. diversus SMITH, B. beaticola (TKALCU) and B. ignitus SMITH harboured conopid larvae, mainly of Sicus species. Conopid parasitism is more important than the number of adults in collections would indicate.