A new host for Philornis torquans (Diptera, Muscidae) from the Brazilian Cerrado

Charles Duca,José Roberto Pujol-Luz,Leandro Barbosa,Miguel Ângelo Marini,Márcia Souto Couri

doi:10.11606/1807-0205/2018.58.57

Abstract

Philornis larvae and pupae were collected in nestlings of Neothraupis fasciata (Lichtenstein), the White-banded Tanager (Passeriformes, Thraupidae), in three breeding seasons, between October and November 2003‑2005 in a reserve in central Brazil. Here, we present biological data, diagnosis to the recognition of the species and a key to the segregation of species occurring in the Cerrado. The larvae were intradermic in the nestlings and the pupae were collected in the nests after the birds have abandoned them. The immatures collected were taken to the laboratory and reared under laboratory conditions, until emergence. The species identified as Philornis torquans (Nielsen), is here firstly recorded from the Brazilian Cerrado, and firstly recorded its association with N. fasciata. With this record, the number of Philornis species occurring in the Cerrado rises to three.

Highlights

The association of Philornis Meinert (Diptera, Muscidae) larvae with at least 115 bird species, mostly in the Neotropics is well known (Dudaniec & Kleindorfer, 2006)
Neothraupis fasciata is a common species in this reserve were it breeds during the wet season from September to January (Duca & Marini, 2011), and where its biology has been studied in detail (Duca & Marini, 2011, 2014a, b)
Other threats that affected reproduction were parasitism by Philornis sp on nestlings and brood parasitism by Molothrus bonariensis (Gmellin, 1789) (Passeriformes, Icteridae)

Summary

Introduction

The association of Philornis Meinert (Diptera, Muscidae) larvae with at least 115 bird species, mostly in the Neotropics is well known (Dudaniec & Kleindorfer, 2006). Philornis is distributed in Central and South America and south of the USA, with at least 50 species recorded so far (Carvalho et al, 2005). The larvae can be coprophagous in the nests, semi-hematophagous or intra-dermic hematophagous in the nestlings (Couri, 1984, 1985). There are only few records with intradermic larvae attacking adults. Breeding female of Thamnophillus palliatus (Lichtenstein) was parasitized with Philornis glaucinis Dodge & Aitken larva (Mendonça & Couri, 1999)

Methods

Results

Conclusion