Flies attracting to Splachnum ampullaceum Hedw.

Abstract

The Splachnaceae is the only moss family in which entomophily has been observed. Some chemical compounds are produced and released by the sporophyles. Flies attracting to and visiting the sporophytes of Splachnum ampullaceum are examined based on the photographs taken in Mts. Yatsugatake, central Honshu, Japan. The flies are two species of Muscidae, Polietes nigrolimbata and Muscina pascuorum. Judging from much larger body sizes of flies, crowded sporophytes can increase the amount of produced chemical compounds to attract them as well as an effective as perch.