La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Parasitation of nestling Kestrels Falco t. tinnunculus by the blood-sucking fly Carnus hemapterus (Insecta: Milichiidae, Diptera)
Auteurs :	Mike Heddergott, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Vogelwelt (Die) (124(4) 2003)
Article en page(s) :	201-205
Résumé :	Parasitation of nestling Kestrels by the blood-sucking fly Carnus hemapterus was studied during the years 1996-2002 in several regions of Germany. A total of 410 nestlings our of 96 broods were carefully checked for parasites. Results are analysed separately for three categories of nests: nest-boxes in or associated with human buildings, open nests in towns and suburban settlements and open nests outside human settlements. Rates of parasitation were similar between the latter two categories, but twice as high in nest-boxes in areas of human settlement. On average, a Kestrel nestling up to the age of 35 days carried 7.9 adult Carnus hemapterus flies. No parasitation was recorded at older ages. There seemed to be a negative relationship of parasitation rates with body mass: relatively light nestlings had more parasites than heavier siblings or nestlings of the same age from other broods. Causes of variation in parasitation rates are discussed. Nest-boxes seem to provide better microclimate for the survival of Carnus hemapterus pupae, which results in earlier and heavier infestation of nestlings in the following season.

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