Phorid Newsletter
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Rediscovery and Reclassification of the Dipteran Taxon Nothomicrodon
www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Rediscovery and reclassification of the dipteran taxon Nothomicrodon Wheeler, an exclusive Received: 07 November 2016 Accepted: 28 February 2017 endoparasitoid of gyne ant larvae Published: 31 March 2017 Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud1, Benoit J. B. Jahyny2,3, Gunilla Ståhls4, Graham Rotheray5, Jacques H. C. Delabie6 & Jean-Paul Lachaud1,7 The myrmecophile larva of the dipteran taxon Nothomicrodon Wheeler is rediscovered, almost a century after its original description and unique report. The systematic position of this dipteran has remained enigmatic due to the absence of reared imagos to confirm indentity. We also failed to rear imagos, but we scrutinized entire nests of the Brazilian arboreal dolichoderine ant Azteca chartifex which, combined with morphological and molecular studies, enabled us to establish beyond doubt that Nothomicrodon belongs to the Phoridae (Insecta: Diptera), not the Syrphidae where it was first placed, and that the species we studied is an endoparasitoid of the larvae of A. chartifex, exclusively attacking sexual female (gyne) larvae. Northomicrodon parasitism can exert high fitness costs to a host colony. Our discovery adds one more case to the growing number of phorid taxa known to parasitize ant larvae and suggests that many others remain to be discovered. Our findings and literature review confirm that the Phoridae is the only taxon known that parasitizes both adults and the immature stages of different castes of ants, thus threatening ants on all fronts. Ants are hosts to at least 17 orders of myrmecophilous arthropods (organisms dependent on ants), ranging from general scavengers to highly selective predators and parasitoids that attack either ants, their brood or other myr- mecophiles1–3. -
Diptera, Phoridae) from Iran
Archive of SID J Insect Biodivers Syst 04(3): 147–155 ISSN: 2423-8112 JOURNAL OF INSECT BIODIVERSITY AND SYSTEMATICS Research Article http://jibs.modares.ac.ir http://zoobank.org/References/578CCEF1-37B7-45D3-9696-82B159F75BEB New records of the scuttle flies (Diptera, Phoridae) from Iran Roya Namaki Khameneh1, Samad Khaghaninia1*, R. Henry L. Disney2 1 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, I.R. Iran. 2 Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, U.K. ABSTRACT. The faunistic study of the family Phoridae carried out in northwestern of Iran during 2013–2017. Five species (Conicera tibialis Schmitz, Received: 1925, Dohrniphora cornuta (Bigot, 1857), Gymnophora arcuata (Meigen, 1830), 06 August, 2018 Metopina oligoneura (Mik, 1867) and Triphleba intermedia (Malloch, 1908)) are newly recorded from Iran. The genera Conicera Meigen, 1830, Dohrniphora Accepted: 14 November, 2018 Dahl, 1898, Gymnophora Macquart, 1835 and Triphleba Rondani, 1856 are reported for the first time from the country. Diagnostic characters of the Published: studied species along with their photographs are provided. 20 November, 2018 Subject Editor: Key words: Phoridae, Conicera, Dohrniphora, Gymnophora, Triphleba, Iran, New Farzaneh Kazerani records Citation: Namaki khameneh, R., Khaghaninia, S. & Disney, R.H.L. (2018) New records of the scuttle flies (Diptera, Phoridae) from Iran. Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics, 4 (3), 147–155. Introduction Phoridae with about 4,000 identified insect eggs, larvae, and pupae. The adults species in more than 260 genera, is usually feed on nectar, honeydew and the considered as one of the largest families of exudates of fresh carrion and dung, Diptera (Ament & Brown, 2016). -
Diptera, Phoridae)
A peer-reviewed open-access journal ZooKeys A512: new 89–108 species (2015) group in Megaselia, the lucifrons group, with description of a new species... 89 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.512.9494 RESEARCH ARTICLE http://zookeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research A new species group in Megaselia, the lucifrons group, with description of a new species (Diptera, Phoridae) Sibylle Häggqvist1,2, Sven Olof Ulefors3, Fredrik Ronquist4 1 Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Zoology, Box 50007, SE-10405 Stockholm, Sweden 2 Stockholm University, Department of Zoology, Svante Arrhenius väg 18A, SE-10691 Stockholm, Sweden 3 Färgerivägen 9, 38044 Alsterbro, Sweden 4 Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Bioinfor- matics and Genetics, Box 50007, SE-10405 Stockholm, Sweden Corresponding author: Sibylle Häggqvist ([email protected]) Academic editor: Martin Hauser | Received 2 March 2015 | Accepted 24 June 2015 | Published 6 July 2015 http://zoobank.org/7F66197C-6E1E-4E0E-BD9D-7DED9922D9FF Citation: Häggqvist S, Ulefors SO, Ronquist F (2015) A new species group in Megaselia, the lucifrons group, with description of a new species (Diptera, Phoridae). ZooKeys 512: 89–108. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.512.9494 Abstract With 1,400 described species, Megaselia is one of the most species-rich genera in the animal kingdom, and at the same time one of the least studied. An important obstacle to taxonomic progress is the lack of knowledge concerning the phylogenetic structure within the genus. Classification of Megaselia at the level of subgenus is incomplete although Schmitz addressed several groups of species in a series of monographs published from 1956 to 1981. -
Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) for the Colombian Orinoco Region Biota Colombiana, Vol
Biota Colombiana ISSN: 0124-5376 ISSN: 2539-200X [email protected] Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos "Alexander von Humboldt" Colombia Halmenschlager, Matheus; Agudelo Martínez, Juan C; Pérez-Buitrago, Néstor F. New records of Vespidae (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) for the Colombian Orinoco Region Biota Colombiana, vol. 20, no. 1, 2019, January-June, pp. 21-33 Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos "Alexander von Humboldt" Colombia Available in: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=49159822002 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System Redalyc More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America and the Caribbean, Spain and Journal's webpage in redalyc.org Portugal Project academic non-profit, developed under the open access initiative Halmenschlager et al. New records of wasps in the Colombian Orinoco New records of Vespidae (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) for the Colombian Orinoco Region Nuevos registros de Vespidae (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) para la región de la Orinoquía colombiana Matheus Y. Halmenschlager, Juan C. Agudelo Martínez and Néstor F. Pérez-Buitrago Abstract We analyzed 72 specimens from the Arauca (71) and Casanare (1) departments in the Orinoco region of Colombia. 7KHVSHFLPHQVEHORQJWRJHQHUDDQGVSHFLHVRIYHVSLGZDVSV)RXUVSHFLHVDUHUHSRUWHGIRUWKHÀUVWWLPH for the region and 14 are new records for the Arauca department. There is a likely new record of Stenodynerus cf. australis for the Neotropical region. Keywords. Arauca. Eumeninae. Neotropic. Species list. Vespid wasps. Resumen Analizamos 72 especímenes colectados de los departamentos de Arauca (71) y Casanare (1) en la región de la Orinoquía. Estos pertenecen a 10 géneros y 18 especies de avispas. Cuatro especies son nuevos registros para la región y 14 son nuevas para el departamento de Arauca. -
(Diptera: Phoridae) Associated with Leaf-Cutter Ants and Army Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Argentina by R
95 New Species and Records of Scuttle Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) Associated with Leaf-cutter Ants and Army Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Argentina by R. Henry L. Disney1, Luciana Elizalde2 & Patricia J. Folgarait2 ABSTRACT Lucianaphora folgaraitae Disney n. gen., n. sp., Macrocerides attophilus n. sp. are described, both being collected over leaf-cutter ants and Cremersia crassicostalis n. sp. from females collected over army ants. Some species col- lected with army ants are given code letters until they are linked up with their unknown sex. Host records for previously known species were all from colonies of army ants, whose myrmecophiles are better documented than those recorded from the colonies of leaf-cutter ants. Key Words: Phoridae, Argentina, Leaf-cutter ants, Army ants INTRODUCTION The numerous myrmecophile and parasitoidscuttle flies (Phoridae) associ- ated with army ants (Ecitoninae) have been reviewed by Disney & Kistner (2003), recently augmented by Disney & Rettenmeyer (2007) and Disney & Berghoff (2007). The far fewer records of those associated with leaf-cutter ants (Myrmicinae) were last reviewed by Disney (1994), but since then knowledge of the parasitoid species has increased for phorids of the genera Apocephalus, Neodohrniphora, and Myrmosicarius (Braganca et al. 1998, 2002; Brown 1997, 2001, Disney 1996, Disney et al. 2006, Feener & Brown 1993; Feener & Moss 1990, Tonhasca 1996, Tonhasca et al. 2001). During a study of the parasitoid genus Myrmosicarius Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae), whose preferred hosts are leaf-cutter ants (Disney et al. 2006), other mymecophilous and parasitoid species of scuttle fly were also observed and collected from colonies of the same ants. In addition, some phorids 1 Museum of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, ENGLAND Email: [email protected] 2 Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, R.S. -
Behavioral Strategies of Phorid Parasitoids and Responses of Their Hosts, the Leaf-Cutting Ants
Journal of Insect Science: Vol. 12 | Article 135 Elizalde and Folgarait Behavioral strategies of phorid parasitoids and responses of their hosts, the leaf-cutting ants Luciana Elizalde1,2a*, Patricia Julia Folgarait1b 1Laboratorio de Hormigas, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2Laboratorio Ecotono, Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche, Argentina Downloaded from Abstract Host-searching and oviposition behaviors of parasitoids, and defensive responses of the hosts, are fundamental in shaping the ecology of host-parasitoid interactions. In order to uncover key behavioral features for the little known interactions between phorid parasitoids (Diptera: http://jinsectscience.oxfordjournals.org/ Phoridae) and their leaf-cutting ant hosts (Formicidae: Attini), host-related behavioral strategies (i.e., host searching and oviposition) for 13 phorid species, and host defensive responses (i.e., hitchhikers and particular body postures) for 11 ant species, were studied. Data was collected at 14 localities, one of them characterized by its high species richness for this host-parasitoid system. Phorid species showed both great variation and specificity in attacking behaviors. Some chose their hosts using either an ambush or an actively searching strategy, while some species attacked ants on different body parts, and specialized on ants performing different tasks, such as when ants were foraging, removing wastes to refuse piles, or repairing the nest. Combining all by guest on June 6, 2016 the behaviors recorded, most phorid species differed in performance in at least one, making it possible to recognize species in the field through their behavior. Phorid species that attacked hosts with greater activity levels showed overall higher attack rates, although there was no significant correlation between attack rates by most phorid species and ant activity outside the nest while parasitoids were attacking. -
Development of a Forensically Important Fly, Megaselia Scalaris
Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia 10 (2) 2012: 49-52 Komunikasi Pendek/Short Communication Development of a Forensically Important Fly, Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) on Cow’s Liver and Various Agar-based Diets (Perkembangan Lalat Berkepentingan Forensik, Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) Pada Hati Lembu dan Pelbagai Diet Berasaskan Agar) RAJA MUHAMMAD ZUHA, SUPRIYANI MUSTAMIN, BALKHIS BASHURI, NAZNI WASI AHMAD & BAHARUDIN OMAR ABSTRACT In forensic entomology practice, it is more common to use raw animal tissue to breed dipteran larvae and it often brings unpleasant odour in the laboratory. Few studies suggested the use of synthetic diets, mainly agar-based media, as alternatives to animal tissue but it is rarely being practiced in forensic entomology laboratory. The present study observed the growth of a forensically important fly, Megaselia scalaris (Loew) on raw cow’s liver, nutrient agar, casein agar and cow’s liver agar. A total of 100 M. scalaris eggs were transferred each into the different media and placed in an incubator at 30°C in a continuous dark condition. Data on length and developmental period were collected by randomly sampling three of the largest larvae from each rearing media, twice a day at 0900 and 1500 hours until pupariation. M. scalaris larvae reared on raw cow’s liver recorded the highest mean length (4.23 ± 1.96 mm) followed by cow’s liver agar (3.79 ± 1.62 mm), casein agar (3.14 ± 1.16 mm) and nutrient agar (3.09 ± 1.11 mm). Larval length in raw liver and liver agar were significantly different from those in nutrient and casein agar (p < 0.05). -
ARTHROPODA Subphylum Hexapoda Protura, Springtails, Diplura, and Insects
NINE Phylum ARTHROPODA SUBPHYLUM HEXAPODA Protura, springtails, Diplura, and insects ROD P. MACFARLANE, PETER A. MADDISON, IAN G. ANDREW, JOCELYN A. BERRY, PETER M. JOHNS, ROBERT J. B. HOARE, MARIE-CLAUDE LARIVIÈRE, PENELOPE GREENSLADE, ROSA C. HENDERSON, COURTenaY N. SMITHERS, RicarDO L. PALMA, JOHN B. WARD, ROBERT L. C. PILGRIM, DaVID R. TOWNS, IAN McLELLAN, DAVID A. J. TEULON, TERRY R. HITCHINGS, VICTOR F. EASTOP, NICHOLAS A. MARTIN, MURRAY J. FLETCHER, MARLON A. W. STUFKENS, PAMELA J. DALE, Daniel BURCKHARDT, THOMAS R. BUCKLEY, STEVEN A. TREWICK defining feature of the Hexapoda, as the name suggests, is six legs. Also, the body comprises a head, thorax, and abdomen. The number A of abdominal segments varies, however; there are only six in the Collembola (springtails), 9–12 in the Protura, and 10 in the Diplura, whereas in all other hexapods there are strictly 11. Insects are now regarded as comprising only those hexapods with 11 abdominal segments. Whereas crustaceans are the dominant group of arthropods in the sea, hexapods prevail on land, in numbers and biomass. Altogether, the Hexapoda constitutes the most diverse group of animals – the estimated number of described species worldwide is just over 900,000, with the beetles (order Coleoptera) comprising more than a third of these. Today, the Hexapoda is considered to contain four classes – the Insecta, and the Protura, Collembola, and Diplura. The latter three classes were formerly allied with the insect orders Archaeognatha (jumping bristletails) and Thysanura (silverfish) as the insect subclass Apterygota (‘wingless’). The Apterygota is now regarded as an artificial assemblage (Bitsch & Bitsch 2000). -
Insect Timing and Succession on Buried Carrion in East Lansing, Michigan
INSECT TIMING AND SUCCESSION ON BURIED CARRION IN EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN By Emily Christine Pastula A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTERS OF SCIENCE Entomology 2012 ABSTRACT INSECT TIMING AND SUCCESSION ON BURIED CARRION IN EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN By Emily Christine Pastula This study examined pig carcasses buried at two different depths, 30 and 60 cm, to determine if insects are able to colonize buried carcasses, when they arrive at each depth, and what fauna are present over seven sampling dates to establish an insect succession database on buried carrion in East Lansing, Michigan. Thirty-eight pigs were buried, 18 at 30 cm and 20 at 60 cm. Four control carcasses were placed on the soil surface. Three replicates at each depth were exhumed after 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, 30 days, and 60 days. One pig was also exhumed from 60 cm after 90 days and another after 120 days. Sarcophaga bullata (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) and Hydrotaea sp. (Diptera: Muscidae) were found colonizing buried carrion 5 days after burial at 30 cm. Insect succession at 30 cm proceeded with flesh and muscid flies being the first to colonize, followed by blow flies. Insects were able to colonize carcasses at 60 cm and Hydrotaea sp. and Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae), were collected 7 days after burial. Insect succession at 60 cm did not proceed similarly as predicted, instead muscid and coffin flies were the only larvae collected. Overall these results reveal post-burial interval (PBI) estimates for forensic investigations in mid-Michigan during the summer, depending on climatic and soil conditions. -
INSECTS of MICRONESIA Diptera: Phoridae
INSECTS OF MICRONESIA Diptera: Phoridae By ERWIN M. BEYER BONN, STIFTSGASSE 8, WEST GERMANY INTRODUCTION G. E. Bohart was the first to report on phorids of Micronesia. In his study on the Phoridae of Guam [1947, U. S. Nat. Mus., Proc. 96 (3205): 397-416, figs. 33-48] he dealt with five genera and 11 species; one genus (Para fannia Bohart) and nine species were described as new. C. N. Colyer [1957, Hawaiian Ent. Soc., Proc. 16 (2) : 232] synonymized Parafannia Bohart with Gymnoptera Lioy. In our recent study on the Phoridae of Hawaii (Insects of Hawaii 11, 1964) D. E. Hardy and I recognize M egaselia stuntzi Bohart as a synonym of M. setaria (Malloch). In this present study, Pulici phora nigriventris Bohart is shown to be a synonym of P. pulex Dahl. Bohart's descriptions of his new species are inadequate and not always based upon the most reliable characters; the illustrations are sometimes inac curate. I am unable, therefore, to include Chonocephalus species in this study. In the Micronesian material before me, three members of this genus are rep resented; none of these can, however, be identified as any of Bohart's species. M egaselia setifemur Bohart, which also needs redescription, is not repre sented in this material. At present, seven genera, two subgenera, and 24 named species of Phori dae, including the two species of ChonocephalusJ are known to occur in Micro nesia. Ten species are new to science, one tribe (Beckerinini) and five species are recorded for the first time in Micronesia. When considering the Micronesian phorid genera, it is evident that only genera of worldwide distribution are represented. -
Universidade Federal De Juiz De Fora Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Biológicas Mestrado Em Comportamento E Biologia Animal
Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas Mestrado em Comportamento e Biologia Animal Monalisa de Paula Rocha BIOLOGIA E ECOLOGIA COMPORTAMENTAL DA VESPA SOCIAL Polybia platycephala (RICHARDS, 1978) (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE, EPIPONINI) Juiz de Fora 2011 Monalisa de Paula Rocha BIOLOGIA E ECOLOGIA COMPORTAMENTAL DA VESPA SOCIAL Polybia platycephala (RICHARDS, 1978) (HYMENOPTERA: VESPIDAE, EPIPONINI) Dissertação apresentada ao Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do Título de Mestre em Ciências Biológicas (Área de concentração em Comportamento e Biologia Animal). Orientador: Prof. Dr. Kleber Del-Claro Co-Orientador: Prof. Dr. Fábio Prezoto Juiz de Fora 2011 Monalisa de Paula Rocha BIOLOGIA E ECOLOGIA COMPORTAMENTAL DA VESPA SOCIAL Polybia platycephala (RICHARDS, 1978) (HYMENOPTERA, VESPIDAE, EPIPONINI) Dissertação apresentada ao Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, da Universidade Federal Juiz de Fora, como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do Título de Mestre em Ciências Biológicas (Área de concentração em Comportamento e Biologia Animal). Aprovada em 28 de fevereiro de 2011. BANCA EXAMINADORA ___________________________________________________ Prof. Dr. Fernando Antônio Frieiro Costa Centro Universitário de Lavras (UNILAVRAS) ___________________________________________________ Profa. Dra. Sthefane D'ávila Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF) ___________________________________________________ Prof. Dr. Fábio Prezoto Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF) À minha amada família, Rodrigo e queridos amigos. AGRADECIMENTOS Gostaria de agradecer primeiramente á Deus, por iluminar sempre os meus caminhos. Ao meu orientador Dr. Kleber Del Claro por aceitar orientar esta dissertação. Ao meu co-orientador Dr. Fábio Prezoto pela oportunidade para a realização deste trabalho e pelos ensinamentos transmitidos. Agradeço ao Rodrigo Oliveira Costa por todo apoio no trabalho de campo, e principalmente pelo amor, carinho e paciência durante este período. -
Nidification of Polybia Platycephala and Polistes Versicolor (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) on Plants of Musa Spp. in Minas Gerais State, Brazil by F.A
457 Nidification of Polybia platycephala and Polistes versicolor (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) on Plants of Musa spp. in Minas Gerais State, Brazil by F.A. Rodríguez1, L.C. Barros2, P. Caroline2, M.M. Souza1, J.E. Serrão3 & J.C. Zanuncio1* ABSTRACT Social wasps are natural enemies of caterpillars and, therefore, they have potential to control insect pests in various crops. Three colonies of Polybia platycephala (Richards) and one of Polistes versicolor (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) were found on plants of banana (Musa spp.) in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. These colonies were at 3.50 m high, under the leaves, which provide shelter from environmental stress. Key Words: Banana, biological control, nest, pest, social wasps. INTRODUCTION Social wasps have many functions in ecosystems as pollinators, predators of insects, bioindicators and nutrient cycling (Souza et al. 2010). Social wasps are agents of biological control (Prezoto & Gobbi 2005; Picanço et al. 2010), mainly of Lepidopteran caterpillars (Richter 2000; Prezoto et al. 2006). Polistes dominulus (Christ) (Eigenbrode et al. 2000); Protonectarina sylveirae (de Saussure), Brachygastra lecheguana (Latreille), Polistes carnifex (Fabricius), Polistes melanosomes (de Saussure), Polistes versicolor (Olivier), Polybia ignobilis (Haliday), Polybia scutellaris (White), Protopolybia exigua (de Saussure) (Desneux et al. 2010), Polybia fastidosusculata (de Saussare) Prontonectarina sylveirae (de Saussare) (Moura et al. 2000), Polistes erythro- cephalus (Latreille), Polistes canadensis (Linnaeus) and Polybia sericea (Olivier) 1 Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, [email protected],[email protected]. 2 Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, [email protected], [email protected] 3 Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.