Phoridae Research Articles

The Effect of Soil Type and Moisture on the Development of Forensically Important Megaselia scalaris and Dohrniphora cornuta (Diptera: Phoridae).

Necrophagous phorid flies are common insects found on buried corpses, and their developmental data play a crucial role in estimating the post-burial interval (PBI). This study aimed to investigate the effects of soil type and moisture content on some life cycle parameters of two forensically important insects, Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866) and Dohrniphora cornuta (Bigot, 1857) (Diptera: Phoridae). Larval and pupal survival, development time, and larval body length of M. scalaris and D. cornuta were observed in three different soil types (loamy sand, sandy loam A, and sandy loam B) with six moisture contents (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%). The results indicated that soil types, soil moisture, and their interaction significantly influenced the growth and development of both species, with moisture being the most influential factor. In each soil, 20% and 40% moisture contents were more suitable for their growth and development. Both the development time and maximum larval body length were significantly different among soil types and moisture contents. The larval period of both species lasted the longest in all soils with 0% moisture content. Additionally, a regression analysis of the relationship between larval body length and development time was performed at different moisture contents in three soils. This study expanded our knowledge of the factors that influence the development of necrophagous insects and provided some reference data for applications of M. scalaris and D. cornuta in PBI estimation.

Diadelophora, a new phorid genus from central and western Brazil (Diptera: Phoridae).

Diadelophora gen. nov, a conspicuous new genus of phorid flies is described based on two species from central and western Brazil, D. stilbella sp. nov. and D. inornata sp. nov. The new genus is positioned in the Thaumatoxena-group within the subfamily Phorinae, probably as sister group to Hypocerides Schmitz, 1915. The diagnostic features of Diadelophora are commented and illustrated, and the genus differences to Hypocerides are highlighted. The morphology of Diadelophora species is explored in detail with SEM, photos, and optical microscopy illustrations of structures of taxonomic relevance and other curious features of the genus.

The stridulatory organ in Opetiidae and Phoridae (Diptera) and phylogenetic implications for the evolution of higher flies

Stridulatory sound-making organs evolved in a group of flies—the family Phoridae—by modifications of the microstructure of foreleg segments present in the shared ancestor of the clade (Phoridae + Opetiidae). The opetiids are the only group amongst the lower Cyclorrhapha in which plausible homologous structures could be found, though in a less derived condition. On the forefemur of Opetia there are numerous elongate, flattened microtrichia that in basal phorids are organized into a curved linear group (the scraper) which are scraped against a curved, ridged carina on the forecoxa (the file). The file was possibly derived from an extremely unusual set of three setae that have transverse sculpturing and sockets that limit lateral motion, and which are distributed across the opetiid forecoxa. In some phorid lineages, these setae seem to be fused into the forecoxa forming the linear ridged surface against which the scraper on the forefemur could be moved. The relationship between opetiids and phorids dates back to the Cretaceous, and this pattern of file and scraper can be clearly seen in some 100 mya Myanmar amber phorid fly fossils. These structures shared between opetiids and phorids suggest that these two families may be sister groups amongst the Platypezoidea. Different modifications of the forelegs of other higher flies may have similar roles.

Quit bugging me: phorid fly parasitoids affect expression of an immune gene in foraging fire ant workers

Host-parasitoid interactions are complex. A parasitoid can change its host’s behavior by direct infection or simply by its presence in the shared environment. In the red imported fire ant (RIFA, Solenopsis invicta), workers display defensive postures to avoid potential parasitism when fire ant decapitating flies (Pseudacteon spp.) hover above them. In addition to changes in the behavior of individual ants, RIFA colonies limit their foraging when decapitating flies are present. To further understand these interactions, we investigated the molecular basis of changes in foraging behavior at the colony level. By quantifying expression of the S. invicta foraging gene (Sifor), odorant binding protein 11, and immune genes of workers of unknown infection status in colonies exposed to decapitating flies and control colonies over a 48-h period, we aimed to provide information on the molecular processes related to change in foraging behavior of RIFA. We found upregulation of an immune gene, defensin-2, in colonies exposed to decapitating fly parasitoids. However, we did not detect significant differences in expression levels of three other genes related to immune function: abaecin, cytochrome P450 4C1-like, and hymenoptaecin. Although colonies exposed to parasitoids foraged less than control colonies (flies absent), they did not experience significant changes in Sifor, a gene correlated with worker caste performance, or odorant binding protein 11, a gene upregulated in foragers. These results show that molecular processes associated with diminished foraging activity are set into place by the mere presence of the flies or by early stages of phorid fly infection.

Biological Activities and Ecological Significance of Fire Ant Venom Alkaloids.

Venoms produced by arthropods act as chemical weapons to paralyze prey or deter competitors. The utilization of venom is an essential feature in the biology and ecology of venomous arthropods. Solenopsis fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are medically important venomous ants. They have acquired different patterns of venom use to maximize their competitive advantages rendered by the venom when facing different challenges. The major components of fire ant venom are piperidine alkaloids, which have strong insecticidal and antibiotic activities. The alkaloids protect fire ants from pathogens over the course of their lives and can be used to defend them from predators and competitors. They are also utilized by some of the fire ants' natural enemies, such as phorid flies to locate host ants. Collectively, these ants' diverse alkaloid compositions and functions have ecological significance for their survival, successful invasion, and rapid range expansion. The venom alkaloids with powerful biological activities may have played an important role in shaping the assembly of communities in both native and introduced ranges.

Phorid fly parasitism rates vary between individual colonies of the leaf‐cutting ant Atta laevigata

Abstract Phorid flies are important natural enemies of leaf‐cutting ants. Female phorids lay eggs in the worker ants' bodies and the parasitoid larvae feed on the host's internal tissues. Here we investigated the parasitism rates by four species of phorids when attacking individual Atta laevigata colonies at three different field sites in order to further understand the host‐parasitoid relationship. There were distinct variations in parasitism rates when comparing phorid species attacking individual colonies. In 13 of the colonies sampled, parasitism by Apocephalus attophilus or Eibesfeldtphora erthali was predominant. However, in four of the colonies, Myrmosicarius grandicornis and Apocephalus vicosae were the predominant species. Variations in parasitism rates by the four phorid species were investigated in relation to the size of the potential hosts that had been collected from the foraging trails of each colony. When correlating the size of potential hosts to phorid species, ants with head capsule widths of >2 mm were predominantly parasitized by A. vicosae and E. erthali. Smaller ants, with head capsule widths of 2 mm or less, were predominantly parasitized by A. attophilus and M. grandicornis. The highest parasitism rates by E. erthali were observed in individual colonies that had the highest proportions of large workers on the trails. Although almost half the size of E. erthali, A. attophilus parasitized both large (head capsule width > 2 mm) and small workers (<2 mm). This was related to the fact that between 1 and 16 larvae can develop within an individual host, depending on host size. M. grandicornis parasitized smaller workers (mean head capsule width = 2 mm) as these phorids are themselves small and only one larva develops within each host. This study demonstrated that the parasitism profiles of individual A. laevigata colonies were related to the size of foragers on the trails.

A Note on the Insects Associated with Stored Onion in Khartoum State

A survey was conducted during 2011-2012 in Khartoum State. The surveyfocused on the identification of insects associated with stored onion. Insects encounteredwere, the fig moth (Ephestia cautella), the dried fruit beetle (Carpophilus hemipterus),the sap beetle (Carpophilus obsolitus), the humpbacked fly (Megaselia scalaris), the antbeetle (Anthicus floralis), the hairy fungus beetle (Typhaea stercorea), the confused flourbeetle (Triboleum confusum), the scavenger fly (Chrysomyza demandata), the dungbeetle (Aphodius lividus), the minute pirate bug (Orius leavigatus), and the rove beetles(Aleochara bipustulata, four Quidius spp. and Lithocharis sp.).

The inquilines (Microtermes obesi), termitophile associates, and natural enemies of the subterranean termite, Odontotermes horni (Wasmann)

The inquilines, termitophile associates, and natural enemies of subterranean nest-building termite Odontotermes horni were investigated at the GKVK, Bengaluru, India. The results showed that the subterranean termites Microtermes obesi and Dicuspiditermes sp were observed as inquilines. A simple royal chamber with a royal pair of M. obesi, scattered fungus combs and egg depository cavities was observed in the nesting area of O. horni. Mites, Lasioseis spp., and unidentified phorid flies were collected as termitophile associates. The ants, Leptogenys processionalis, Camponotus compressus, C. sericeus, reduviid bug, Anacanthaspis pedestris, carabid beetles, Ompra pilosa, common frog, Bufo melanastictus as predators.

Megaselia kaarinaensis – a new species of Megaselia Rondani (Diptera: Phoridae) from Finland

A new species of phorid fly in the genus Megaselia, collected by Malaise trap in southwestern Finland, is described.

Necrophagy by insects in Oculudentavis and other lizard body fossils preserved in Cretaceous amber

When a vertebrate carcass begins its decay in terrestrial environments, a succession of different necrophagous arthropod species, mainly insects, are attracted. Trophic aspects of the Mesozoic environments are of great comparative interest, to understand similarities and differences with extant counterparts. Here, we comprehensively study several exceptional Cretaceous amber pieces, in order to determine the early necrophagy by insects (flies in our case) on lizard specimens, ca. 99 Ma old. To obtain well-supported palaeoecological data from our amber assemblages, special attention has been paid in the analysis of the taphonomy, succession (stratigraphy), and content of the different amber layers, originally resin flows. In this respect, we revisited the concept of syninclusion, establishing two categories to make the palaeoecological inferences more accurate: eusyninclusions and parasyninclusions. We observe that resin acted as a “necrophagous trap”. The lack of dipteran larvae and the presence of phorid flies indicates decay was in an early stage when the process was recorded. Similar patterns to those in our Cretaceous cases have been observed in Miocene ambers and actualistic experiments using sticky traps, which also act as “necrophagous traps”; for example, we observed that flies were indicative of the early necrophagous stage, but also ants. In contrast, the absence of ants in our Late Cretaceous cases confirms the rareness of ants during the Cretaceous and suggests that early ants lacked this trophic strategy, possibly related to their sociability and recruitment foraging strategies, which developed later in the dimensions we know them today. This situation potentially made necrophagy by insects less efficient in the Mesozoic.

Prevalence of honey bee pathogens and parasites in South Korea: A five-year surveillance study from 2017 to 2021

Honey bees play an important role in the pollination of crops and wild plants and provide important products to humans. Pathogens and parasites are the main factors that threaten beekeeping in South Korea. Therefore, a nationwide detection of 14 honey bee pathogens, including parasites (phorid flies, Nosema ceranae, and Acarapis woodi mites), viruses, bacteria, and fungal pathogens, was conducted from 2017 to 2021 in the country. The infection rate and the trend of detection of each pathogenic agent were determined. A total of 830 honey bee samples from Apis cerana (n = 357) and A. mellifera (n = 473) were examined. N. ceranae (35.53%), deformed wing virus (52.63%), sacbrood virus (SBV) (52.63%), and black queen cell virus (55.26%) were the most prevalent honey bee pathogens, and their prevalence rapidly increased from 2017 to 2021. The prevalence of Paenibacillus larvae, Israeli acute paralysis virus, Ascosphaera apis, A. woodi, Melissococcus plutonius, and chronic bee paralysis virus remained stable during the surveillance period, with infection rates ranging from 5.26% to 16.45% in 2021. Other pathogens, including acute bee paralysis virus, phorid flies, Kashmir bee virus, and Aspergillus flavus, had low infection rates that gradually declined during the detection period. The occurrence of honeybee pathogens peaked in July. SBV was the most common pathogen in A. cerana, whereas N. ceranae was predominant in A. mellifera. This study provides information regarding the current status of honey bee pathogens and presents the trend of the occurrence of each pathogen in South Korea. These data are important for predicting outbreaks of honey bee diseases in the country.

Molecular Diagnostic Survey of Honey Bee, Apis mellifera L., Pathogens and Parasites from Arkansas, USA

Abstract Managed honey bee populations have fluctuated over the past several decades in the U.S. While a single factor has not been identified for these losses, the interaction between multiple biotic and abiotic stressors have been suggested to be responsible. Of major concern are several invasive parasite and pathogen species as well as colony management. A single honey bee colony often suffers from multiple harmful agents, that may act synergistically and cause greater declines in bee health. We conducted a survey to detect known and lesser-known honey bee parasites and pathogens. While previous research has primarily focused on commercially managed colonies, research is limited to pertaining parasite and pathogen prevalence in hobbyist managed colonies. Molecular diagnostics were used to screen 541 Arkansas (AR) honey bee colonies from 107 hobbyist beekeepers for eight A. mellifera parasite and pathogen species. Colony samples were obtained between 2015–2016 and represented forty-seven of the seventy-five AR counties. Vairimorpha ceranae (11.6% occurrence) and parasite Varroa destructor (49.4% occurrence) were relatively common in AR hobbyist colonies. Interestingly, the lesser-studied pathogenic trypanosome species, Lotmaria passim, was detected in 11.3% of the colonies and widespread in twenty of the forty-seven counties sampled. None of the honey bee pathogens Vairimorpha apis, Spiroplasma apis, S. melliferum, Crithidia mellificae, or the parasitic phorid fly, Apocephalus borealis, were detected in the colonies sampled. This study provides an extensive assessment of the parasite and pathogen species occurring at the AR state-level in hobbyist-managed honey bee colonies.

Impacts of pests and diseases on the decline of managed bees in Brazil: a beekeeper perspective

Brazilian beekeepers have experienced massive colony losses in recent years. Possible causes include bee pests and diseases, although there have been few relevant studies in the country and no official data are available. The aim of this work was to assess, from a beekeeper's perspective, the incidence of pests and diseases in colonies, and their impact on the decline of bee populations in Brazil. The research used two online questionnaires that included disease symptoms to facilitate participant identification of diseases. A total of 674 valid responses were obtained from beekeepers of Apis mellifera (49% of the total) and stingless bees (51%), distributed among 24 of the 27 Brazilian states. Most beekeepers observed pests (average 78.1%) and disease symptoms (65.5%) in their colonies. Based on beekeepers' responses, pests and diseases affect beehive losses in Brazil. Colony loss percentage for A. mellifera was higher in apiaries with ants (19.8% of colony losses) and wasps (46.7%) than in those without pests (p < 0.001). While for stingless bees, meliponaries with robber bees (15.8% of colony losses), ants (14.7%), and phorid flies (12.5%) had higher colony losses than those without pests (p < 0.001). Apiaries and meliponaries with worker bee deaths had higher losses than those without symptoms. The results also indicate that monitoring can reduce colony losses in apiaries and meliponaries that have some kind of pests and diseases. Using a beekeeper perspective, this study provides information about the impact that pests and pathogens have on bee losses that can be used to guide improved management practices.

Sixteen in One: White-Belted Megaselia Rondani (Diptera: Phoridae) From the New World Challenge Species Concepts

Abstract We review the species of Megaselia similar to Megaselia sulphurizona Borgmeier. A close examination of M. sulphurizona indicates that its current concept includes at least 16 species, 15 of which— Megaselia albizona, Megaselia borealizona, Megaselia colombizona, Megaselia cryptizona, Megaselia danizona, Megaselia guanizona, Megaselia marizona, Megaselia nivizona, Megaselia oklizona, Megaselia paulizona, Megaselia reductizona, Megaselia solizona, Megaselia tropizona, Megaselia wendizona, and Megaselia winnizona are described as new, based primarily on molecular data. The identity of the holotype of the species M. sulphurizona is clarified through wing vein morphometrics. Two of the new species, M. albizona and M. cryptizona, are the 47th and 48th new species of phorid fly described from the BioSCAN project, an urban biodiversity study in Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Some remarkably common, but undescribed, Megaselia Rondani (Diptera: Phoridae) from northwestern Costa Rica.

A collection of 16,521 barcoded phorid flies from rea de Conservacin Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica contains 1,498 recognized BINs (Barcode Index Numbers) in the BOLD database. These BINs were identified to genus, based on photographs, and the collection was found to be composed largely (893/1,498=60%) of specimens of the enormous genus Megaselia Rondani. The nine most common ACG Megaselia, represented by 100 or more specimens each, are briefly described, and diagnosed largely based on DNA barcodes. This study is a prelude and pilot to naming the many less-common species in a similar format.

Two new genera of phorid flies, Macgrathphora and Aurisetiphora, from Costa Rica (Diptera: Phoridae), with recommendations for naming new genera in the family

Two new genera and four new species of metopinine phorid fly are described from Costa Rica. Macgrathphora new genus is described with the following new species: M. caribbea, M. longifurca, and M. pacifica. In particular, M. caribbea is one of the most abundant phorids collected in a recent inventory project in Northwestern Costa Rica. Aurisetiphora new genus is described for a single species, A. maggiesnowae new species, from a site in the Central Valley, near San Jos. Guidelines for describing new genera within the Phoridae, especially the Metopininae, are given, and genus Synaptophora Brown is synonymized with Dohrniphora Dahl (new synonymy).

Parasitic hump-backed flies (Diptera: Phoridae) from Miocene ambers

Phorid flies are an abundant and diverse dipteran family in modern faunas, yet poorly represented in the fossil record. Here, we describe the first fossil species of the millipede parasitizing genus Myriophora, M. asiatica n. sp., and three new fossil species of the ant parasitizing genus Apocephalus, A. miocenus n. sp., A. dominicanus n. sp., and A. chiapanecus n. sp. discovered in Miocene amber deposits from China, Dominican Republic, and Mexico, respectively. Moreover, we add details on the species Apocephalus succineus Brown, previously described in Dominican amber, with the observation of a new specimen. We also include a dichotomous key for all Apocephalus species described in the fossil record.

Mushroom Phorid Flies—A Review

Diptera are among the most serious arthropod pests affecting mushroom crops. Phorid flies, especially Megaselia halterata, have traditionally been globally considered as a minor pest, although they are a very important problem on Spanish mushroom farms. The concerns with respect to the phorid fly populations have recently increased, notably jumping from being a minor to major pest in India, UK and the USA, where yield losses ranging between 10% and 40% were reported. This review updates and summarizes the available literature regarding mushroom phorid populations, stressing the natural distribution of phorids and their seasonal distribution, their biology within the growing substrates and the initial sources of infestation on mushroom farms. Moreover, the review also highlights the scarce available tools for their control and the current alternatives to chemical products.

Honey Bee Health in Maine Wild Blueberry Production.

Simple SummaryWild blueberry is an important native North American crop that requires insect pollination. Migratory western honey bee colonies constitute the majority of commercial bees brought into Maine for pollination of wild blueberry. Currently, many stressors impact the western honey bee in the US. We designed a two-year monitoring study (2014 and 2015) to assess the potential health of honey bee colonies hired for pollination services in wild blueberry fields. We monitored the colony health of nine hive locations (three hives/location) in 2014 and nine locations (five hives/location) in 2015 during bloom (May–June). Queen health status, colony strength, rate of population increase, and pesticide residues on pollen, wax, and honey bee workers were measured. In addition, each hive was sampled to assess levels of mite parasites, viruses, and Microsporidian and Trypanosome pathogens. Different patterns in colony health were observed over the two years. Factors predicting colony growth rate over both years were Varroa mite infestation and risk due to pollen pesticide residues during bloom. In addition, recently discovered parasites and pathogens were already observed in most of the colonies suggesting that parasites and diseases spread rapidly and become established quickly in commercial honey bee colonies.A two-year study was conducted in Maine wild blueberry fields (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) on the health of migratory honey bee colonies in 2014 and 2015. In each year, three or five colonies were monitored at each of nine wild blueberry field locations during bloom (mid-May until mid-June). Colony health was measured by assessing colony strength during wild blueberry bloom. Potential factors that might affect colony health were queen failure or supersedure; pesticide residues on trapped pollen, wax comb, and bee bread; and parasites and pathogens. We found that Varroa mite and pesticide residues on trapped pollen were significant predictors of colony health measured as the rate of change in the amount of sealed brood during bloom. These two factors explained 71% of the variance in colony health over the two years. Pesticide exposure was different in each year as were pathogen prevalence and incidence. We detected high prevalence and abundance of two recently discovered pathogens and one recently discovered parasite, the trypanosome Lotmaria passim Schwartz, the Sinai virus, and the phorid fly, Apocephalus borealis Brues.

Flowers of Deceptive Aristolochia microstoma Are Pollinated by Phorid Flies and Emit Volatiles Known From Invertebrate Carrion

Deceptive flowers decoy pollinators by advertising a reward, which finally is not provided. Numerous deceptive plants are pollinated by Diptera, but the attractive cues and deceptive strategies are only identified in a few cases. A typical fly-deceptive plant genus is Aristolochia, which evolved sophisticated trap flowers to temporarily capture pollinators. Though rarely demonstrated by experimental approaches, Aristolochia species are believed to chemically mimic brood sites, food sources for adult flies, or utilize sexual deception. Indeed, for most species, studies on scent composition and attractive signals are lacking. In this study, we focused on Aristolochia microstoma, a peculiar Greek endemic with flowers that are presented at ground level in the leaf litter or between rocks and are characterized by a unique morphology. We analyzed flower visitor and pollinator spectra and identified the floral scent composition using dynamic headspace and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Female and male phorid flies (Phoridae) are the exclusive pollinators, although the flowers are also frequently visited by Sciaridae, as well as typical ground-dwelling arthropods, such as Collembola and arachnids. The carrion-like floral scent mainly consists of the oligosulphide dimethyldisulfide and the nitrogen-bearing compound 2,5-dimethylpyrazine. These compounds together are known to be released from decomposing insects, and thus, we conclude that pollinators are likely deceived by chemical imitation of invertebrate carrion, a deceptive strategy not described from another plant species so far.