Natural history and reproductive ecology of Antler Flies

About the Project

Discovered in Algonquin Park in the mid 1990s, Antler Flies (Protopiophila litigata) are a species of fly with a life cycle that revolves around discarded Moose (Alces alces) antlers. They breed and lay eggs on the antlers, and individual flies have defined territories. These characteristics make the antler fly ideal for study, as individuals can be marked, tracked, and otherwise observed throughout their life cycle. Current work is investigating topics such as mating success, aging, and territory defence.